THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Jennifer Johnson shot a career-best, 7-under-par 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead over teenager Lexi Thompson in the Navistar LPGA Classic.
Johnson was 6 under on the back nine on the Senator course at the Robert Trent Jones Trail’s Capitol Hill complex. She eagled the par-4, 389-yard 15th hole and had birdies on Nos. 10, 13, 17 and 18.
The 16-year-old Thompson is one stroke back after a 6-under 66, with Becky Morgan and Alison Walshe another shot behind. There is a seven-way tie for fifth at 4 under that includes Yani Tseng, the world’s No. 1 player.
Thompson had seven birdies and one bogey. Her bogey came on the par-3, 163-yard 13th hole. Thompson, who had birdied Nos. 11 and 12, recovered to birdie Nos. 14 and 15.
Thompson is no stranger to success at the Navistar LPGA Classic. As a 14-year-old amateur in 2009, she was tied for the lead after two rounds before finishing 27th. Last year, as a professional, Thompson tied for 16th.
Samantha Richdale of Kelowna, B.C., was four shots off the pace, tied for 12th at 3-under 69.
Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane and Jessica Shepley of Oakville, Ont., were tied for 18th at 2-under 70.
Adrienne White of Red Deer, Alta., and Hamilton’s Alena Sharp were tied for 33rd at even-par 72.
Stephanie Sherlock of Barrie, Ont., was tied for 47th at 1-over 73, and Montreal’s Lisa Meldrum was tied for 70th at 2-over 74.