(Reuters) - Defending champion Anna Nordqvist overcame a poor start with nine birdies in her last 12 holes for a seven-under-par 64 and a share of the first-round lead at the Shoprite LPGA Classic on Friday in New Jersey.
Nordqvist bogeyed two of her first three holes after starting out on a breezy morning by the shore but ran off four birdies in a row from her seventh hole, sandwiching two six-footers with a pair of one-foot tap-ins.
Tied with the Swede were Japan's Ai Miyazato and South African Paula Reto, with Haru Nomura of Japan, Scottish veteran Catriona Matthew and American Casey Grice one shot back on 65.