Korda shoots 66, takes two-shot lead in Boca Raton

BOCA RATON, FLA. >> Jessica Korda shot a 6-under 66 in high wind Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, the tour’s first full-field event of the season and first official event in Boca Raton in more than 30 years.

Korda birdied her final two holes, finishing with a 25-foot putt on the par-4 ninth at Boca Rio Golf Club. The 26-year-old Florida player had eight birdies — converting on all four par-5 holes — and two bogeys.

From Bradenton, the five-time LPGA Tour winner is staying at home this week.

“It’s beautiful to be able to drive to a tournament,” Korda said. “Doesn’t happen that often, at least in my own car. So yeah, it’s been really nice. And I’m staying at home this week, which is even nicer.”

Play was suspended because of darkness with 12 players unable to finish the round. Heavy rain delayed play for nearly 40 minutes late in the afternoon.

Tour rookies Yui Kawamoto of Japan and Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand were two strokes back with South Korea’s Sei Young Kim.

“I’ve been prepping for a moment like this, so I’m very happy with it,” Kawamoto said.

Tavatanakit won three times last year on the Symetra Tour.

“I’ve been waiting to come out here for three months, since the start of the offseason, which was kind of stressful,” Tavatanakit said.

Carlota Ciganda, Xiyu Lin and Lindsey Weaver shot 69.

Hometown players Jaye Marie Green and Morgan Pressel struggled in the first official event in Boca Raton since the 1989 Oldsmobile LPGA Classic at Stonebridge. Green shot 73, and Pressel failed to make a birdie in a 75.

Playing alongside Pressel, Lexi Thompson and Gaby Lopez also had slow starts. Thompson had an eagle, birdie and four bogeys in a 73.

Pieters fires a 67, leads by 1

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES >> Thomas Pieters birdied four of his first six holes and overcame a mid-round blip to take the lead on Day 1 of the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour on Thursday.

The Belgian player dropped three shots combined on the 10th and 11th holes of his first round, but recovered with three straight birdies to shoot 5-under 67 for a one-stroke lead over David Lipsky.

The 84th-ranked Pieters is chasing his first win since August, and only second victory in 3½ years.