April 30 (Reuters) - Juli Inkster, inspired by a pre-tournament dinner with former U.S. President George W. Bush, surged into a three-way tie for the lead after the opening round of the North Texas Shootout on Thursday.
The 54-year-old compiled six birdies to join fellow Americans Cristie Kerr and Sydnee Michaels at five-under-par 66 at the Las Colinas Country Club in Irving.
It was a dismal day for world number one Lydia Ko, however. The 18-year-old stumbled to a four-over 75 and is in danger of missing an LPGA cut for the first time.
Ko, who last Sunday posted her seventh LPGA victory, was cruising along at two-under until she dropped six shots in a three-hole stretch, with a triple bogey -- where she lost a ball in a tree -- followed by a double and then a bogey.