Sorenstam content to be one back of Gulbis, Davies, Diaz
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Natalie Gulbis, Laura Davies and Laura Diaz were more aggressive, taking the bully out of Bulle Rock on Thursday and moving a stroke ahead of Sorenstam after one round of the LPGA Championship.
Sorenstam happily settled for a bogey-free, 4-under 68 in the opening round, while playing partner Gulbis closed with a five-birdie run, Davies manhandled the par-5s, and Diaz relied on precise putting all opening with 67s.
The veterans weren't the only ones making moves at the McDonald's LPGA.
Eighteen-year-old rookie Paula Creamer had a four-birdie run starting at No. 14 and joined Sung Ah Yim and Tina Fischer in a tie with Sorenstam.
Fifteen-year-old Michelle Wie, the first amateur to play in the LPGA Championship, overcame an upset stomach to shoot a 69, good enough for a tie for eighth.
And in a moment that was both historic and anticlimactic, Karrie Webb became the newest member of the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame by rolling in a 2-foot putt for par at the last hole, fulfilling the last requirement for induction.
But all attention was on Sorenstam, who is trying to win her second major of the year in her bid for the Grand Slam. She's sure her game plan will work on Bulle Rock Golf Club.
''I'm very proud of the way I played today,'' Sorenstam said. ''Very solid. I think I missed two greens. I'm very happy with my start. I'd like to continue with this the next three days and see what happens.''
Sorenstam had plenty of birdie chances, and twice saved par from off the green. With her 68, she broke her own LPGA Tour record with her 12th consecutive round in the 60s.
She realizes there's plenty of work ahead such as improving her play on the par-5s. Sorenstam birdied the 11th, her second hole of the round, and played the others in par.
''The par 5s, I wish I played better,'' she said.
''Today is probably 10 percent of the whole tournament. It's such a long way to go. I've got to be patient.''
Gulbis capitalized on her pairing with Sorenstam and finished with a flourish, needing just 15 strokes over the final five holes to gain a share of the lead.
After starting on the back nine, she made a 10-footer for birdie at the 14th, followed with birdie putts of less than 10 feet on the next two holes. She then hit a 5-wood to 25 feet on the par-5 eighth and made a two-putt birdie.
She then punctuated her round with an 18-footer for birdie.
''Definitely the way you want to finish the round,'' said Gulbis, who puts a premium on playing under par. ''Every week, you've got to pretty much birdie every hole ...,'' she said. ''That's the mentality that you have to have out here.''
Bulle Rock played to the strength of the long-hitting Davies, who played the four par-5s in 3 under and rolled in six birdie putts.
''My confidence is up and I'm holing some putts,'' said Davies, who has found success in having her caddie line up her putter.
Davies was sorry to see the tournament move from DuPont Country Club, but has found the Pete Dye layout to her liking.
''I love DuPont,'' she said. ''There was three wins in the run of four years.
''If I had to move, I was pleased we were moving to such a good golf course. This place is fantastic and it suits my game.''
Knowing a victory this week could secure a spot in the Hall of Fame, Davies was quick to point to the competition.
''Well, obviously, there's a certain Sorenstam out there that's hard to beat.''
After opening with a bogey, Diaz had a pair of three-birdie runs to gain a share of the lead.
After rolling in a 20-footer and 6-footer at Nos. 6-7, her eagle try at the par-5 eighth hit the cup and stopped next to the hole for a tap-in birdie.
On the back nine, Diaz holed a bunker shot at the 13th, hit her approach to 6 feet at the 14th just before play was stopped for an hour because of rain. She returned and made the putt, and added a two-putt birdie at the par-5 15th.
''Anytime you can get out and throw a lot of birdies up there, it's always nice,'' Diaz said. ''I felt my putter was my friend today.''
