Sandra Changkija of Orlando, Fla. lines up a birdie putt from the fringe on the eighth hole in the first round of the LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ontario on Thursday, June 21, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
June 22, 2012 - 11:50 AM
WATERLOO, Ont. - Rookie Sandra Changkija remained on top of the leaderboard after the completion of the first round Friday morning at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic.
Changkija opened with an 8-under-par 63 and had a three-stroke lead on China’s Shanshan Feng when play was suspended at 4:20 p.m. Thursday due to thunderstorms and heavy rain.
On Friday morning, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist shot up the leaderboard at Grey Silo Golf Course with a first-round score of 7-under-par 64 to shave Changkija’s lead to one stroke.
South Korea's Hee Kyung Seo and Americans Karlin Beck and Lexi Thompson were tied with Feng at 5 under par.
The high heat and humidity on the opening day were replaced by sunny, comfortable conditions for Friday's play.
Isabelle Beisiegel of Sainte Hilaire, Que., and Charlottetown’s Lorie Kane were the top Canadians at even-par 71.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012