Williamsburg, VA (SportsNetwork.com) - Joanna Klatten fired a 6-under 65 in Thursday's first round, giving her a 1-shot lead at the Kingsmill Championship.
Klatten, who has missed five cuts and has not finished better than a tie for 30th in an event this season, is seeking her first career win on the LPGA Tour.
"Well, it's nice because I haven't had a very good stretch lately," Klatten admitted. "I mean, this is one of my favorite courses all year. I feel very comfortable here. It suits my eye really well. I think you have an advantage if you're among the long hitters."
Morgan Pressel headlines a group of three players tied for third at 5-under 66. Joining Pressel there are Pat Hurst and Alison Lee.
Paula Creamer, Jacqui Concolino, So Yeon Ryu and Perrine Delacour shot matching 4-under 67s on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort & Spa and they are tied for fifth.
Defending champion Lizette Salas struggled on her way to a 3-over 74 and she is tied for 93rd.
Klatten played the front nine first and immediately traded a birdie on 10 for a bogey on 11. After a par at 12, Klatten drained her second birdie at the par-3 13th. She closed out the back nine, her front, with five straight pars from 14.
Klatten did most over her damage on the front nine. Following back-to-back pars at one and two, Klatten went on a huge run with five birdies in a six- hole stretch from No. 3.
That birdie barrage got Klatten all the way to minus-6 and that is where she finished after making a par at the last.
"I played really solid. I made a few bombs which is nice, but it was just solid," said Klatten. "I've been playing pretty good lately. Just struggled with the putting the last few tournaments, but today it was fixed."
Pressel had a bogey-free day, which started on the back nine. She made three birdies on the opening nine at 13, 17 and 18, which had her rolling around the turn.
Following five straight pars from one, Pressel drained two more birdies at six and seven before closing with pars at eight and nine.
Hurst was also bogey-free with five birdies in her round, including two on the front nine and three on the back.
Lee made a bogey on 10 to start her day before making five birdies in seven holes from 11. Another bogey on one was later wiped out with back-to-back gains at six and seven.
NOTES: All of Klatten's five missed cuts this season came in a row and she finished alone in 67th at the last event, the North Texas Shootout ... Despite not having a win since 2008, Pressel has played well of late. She has a third- and second-place finish in her last four events ... Hurst has six career victories on the LPGA Tour, but she has missed her last two cuts in three events this season ... After shooting a 7-over 78, U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie withdrew due to a hip injury.
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