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Japan’s Miyazato leads Safeway Classic

Japan’s Ai Miyazato fired a six-under 66 on Friday for the first-round lead at the LPGA Safeway Classic at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

Miyazato had a one-stroke lead on Taiwan’s Teresa Lu and Jee Young Lee of South Korea.

Miyazato is in a five-way tussle for the world’s top ranking with American Cristie Kerr, Jiyai Shin of South Korea, Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Yani Tseng of Taiwan.

Since the retirement of Lorena Ochoa earlier this year, Miyazato, Kerr and Shin have traded the top ranking six times in the past three months.

“Even though it was just for two weeks, I was so very happy,” Miyazato said about being number one.

“I was happy because I experienced something that I never really experienced before, and so it will just be really good for my future as my career goes on.”

Miyazato has won four times on tour this season.

Tseng shot a three-over 75 at the Safeway.

South Korea’s Chella Choi, Taiwan’s Amy Hung, Japan’s Momoko Ueda and American Brittany Lincicome were two strokes off the lead with four-under 68s. Veteran Juli Inkster joined a large group at three under.

M.J. Hur is the defending champion of the tournament. Hur shot a 74 on Friday on the 6,546-yard Ghost Creek Course. It is the tournament’s second year on the rural course after 19 years at Columbia Edgewater County Club.

The top-ranked Kerr shot a 70. Michelle Wie was at even par going into Saturday’s second round.