Kim leads LPGA event in Phoenix

Published 7:28 pm Thursday, March 26, 2009

PHOENIX — South Korea’s In-Kyung Kim shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the J Golf Phoenix LPGA International, while two-time defending champion Lorena Ochoa and Michelle Wie struggled in windy conditions.

Kim had a one-stroke lead over countrywomen Jiyai Shin, Imbee Park and Eun-Hee Ji and American Cristie Kerr, who eagled the final hole, and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, who finished with a birdie.

Ochoa, showing anger at times over her disappointments, opened with a 72 at Papago, the recently renovated, difficult municipal layout in its first year as the tournament site after five seasons at Superstition Mountain.

Wie, the 19-year-old Stanford sophomore still seeking her first tour victory, shot a 73 in her first tournament since the season opener.