Ko off to quick start with share of LPGA lead

Lydia Ko launched her first season as an LPGA Tour member in style Thursday, grabbing a share of the first-round lead at the Bahamas LPGA Classic. The 16-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander had six birdies and one bogey in a five-under par 68 that put her tied atop the leaderboard with South Korean Meena Lee in the $1.3 million season-opening event. Lee's round included an eagle two at the par-four 13th hole, along with four birdies on the Ocean Club course. The leading duo was one stroke in front of a group of 10 players that included American Stacy Lewis, Thailand's P.K. Kongkraphan,   Taiwan's Candie Kung and South Koreans Park Hee-Young and Mirim Lee. Ko turned professional last year after a stellar amateur career during which she won four professional tournaments. She won her first title as a pro in Taiwan in December, but is making her first start this week as a member of the LPGA Tour. Her precocious achievements persuaded LPGA Tour Michael Whan to waive the tour's usual requirement that a player be 18 years old to qualify for membership. Source: AFP