Piller leads US Open champ Park at LPGA Marathon Classic

>> OHIO: Gerina Piller fired an eightunder-par 63 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over newly-crowned US Open champion Park Sung-Hyun and Chien Pei-Yun after the first round of the LPGA Marathon Classic in Ohio.

Piller, chasing her first LPGA title, got off to a strong start at Highland Meadows, with birdies at the first three holes and four of the first five.

Another birdie at the par-three eighth was followed by her lone bogey of the day at the ninth and had her making the turn at four-under. She added four more birdies coming in.

“I feel like any time you shoot eightunder is pretty good,” Piller said. “I just went out there and really trusted what I had and just brought it together.”

South Korea’s Park, who made her first LPGA win a major championship when she lifted the US Women’s Open at Trump National in New Jersey, showed no sign of a let-down as she fired seven birdies in a bogey free round, while Taiwan’s Chien had eight birdies in a bogey in her 64.

Three players shared fourth on sixunder 65: India’s Aditi Ashok, South Korean Kim In-Kyung and American Kelly Shon.

Thidapa Suwannapura was the best Thai starter after a four-under 67. Compatriots Nontaya Srisawang and Prima Thammaraks were a further stroke back.

Defending champion Lydia Ko, the former world No.1 seeking her first win since lifting this trophy last year, opened with a two-over 73 that included three bogeys and one birdie.