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Diaz sets early pace with 67 at Evian Masters

category: Golf

24.07.2008 16:26

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France -- Laura Diaz took the clubhouse lead Thursday after shooting a 5-under 67 in the first round of the Evian Masters.

The 33-year-old Diaz had five birdies on the back nine to set the pace in the $3.25 million LPGA Tour event, Europe's richest women's tournament.

Diaz was playing despite being injured by her toddler son, Robert.

"My son injured my right rib the Saturday before last and I was forced to withdraw from the Jamie Farr Classic," Diaz said. "I took a whole week off and didn't hit a ball until I got here. I didn't even know if I was going to play."

It was the first time Diaz had shot a sub-70 opening round in 17 tournaments this season. A four-time Solheim Cup player, she has two wins on the LPGA Tour, both in 2002 when she reached a ranking of No. 7.

Just behind Diaz were three others, including 19-year-old Angela Park, who found her own streak of birdies. The Brazil-born South Korean, who became a U.S. citizen last month, hit five in six holes between the ninth and 14th to get to 5-under after 16 holes.

Meena Lee of South Korea had five birdies and no bogeys in her 67. Another member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup team, Angela Stanford, had six birdies and a bogey to claim her share of the lead.

Annika Sorenstam is making her final competitive trip to Europe before retiring at the end of the season. The Evian champion in 2000 and 2002 played in an all-Swedish trio just ahead of top-ranked Lorena Ochoa.

Original text is here

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