Kirk again a major threat

Katherine Kirk tears a ride to the ANA inspiration today.

Katherine Kirk flirted with the lead role, took it briefly and then ended up hitting distance after day one of the ANA Inspiration in California.

Kirk, who signed for a one-in-par 71, was comfortably the best Australian, as the biggest championship season began at Rancho Mirage, east of Los Angeles, when several of her countrymen dropped out of the fight

A solo leader was formed in the last group of the day, when the unknown American ally McDonald birdied the last to climb to four, one in five women including the former world number 1 Lexi Thompson and the glowing hot Young Jin

But on a day of unusually modest scoring, there are strikingly 27 women within three shots of McDonald, including Lydia Ko and Jess Korda on -2, with Queenslander Kirk, world number 1 Sung Hyun Par and Brooke Henderson among those on -1.

Fortunately for Perth & Minjee Lee, the world No.3 and one of the pre-tournament fantasies, her sneaking bogey in an unusually flat 73 did not close her chances, still only five strokes of the lead.

Of the other Australians, upcoming Sara Jane Smith has carded a 74 to keep in touch, but work is needed for Sarah Kemp (76), Su Oh (77), Karrie Webb (78) and Hannah Green (80) to cut tomorrow to make.

But it was Kirk, four times a top 10 finisher in major championships, including part of third place in Evian 2017, who flew the flag again after a brilliant close last week with a 65 in San Diego to lead Aussie at the Kia Classic.

She started her round today at the 10th hole with a birdie, quickly birdied the 12th and 17th holes to set herself at the early lead set by the morning pairs at three under.

Another birdie on the par-fifth second hole briefly gave the triple LPGA Tour winner the lead in four under, but three bogeys in the next four holes left her in a 16th place share after the first.

McDonald made a 2m birdie putt on the latter to close a big lap in the more windy afternoon conditions on the Mission Hills course that was made heavier this year with thicker, rugged and tighter fairways than in previous years.

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