Stanford off to a flyer with 66

SINGAPORE — Angela Stanford shot a 6-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the HSBC Women’s Champions on Thursday.

The American started her round with a birdie on the 10th hole and added another on the 16th to make the turn at 2-under 34. On the back nine, Stanford added birdies on Nos. 1, 2, 7 and the par-5 ninth.

Her 66 was one shot shy of Lorena Ochoa’s course record.

Momoko Ueda, Amy Yang, Na Yeon Choi, I.K. Kim and So Yeon Ryu were tied for second at 4-under. A group of seven was at 3-under at Tanah Merah Country Club.

World No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan battled elbow soreness in shooting a 71, while defending champion Karrie Webb of Australia shot an even par 72 and American star Michelle Wie shot a 79.

The 63-player field for the $1.4-million event includes 18 of the top 20 in the world rankings.