Kerr, Lewis and Lee in three-way tie for lead at LPGA championship

Associated Press

pittsford, n.y.

Already the top American in the world rankings, Cristie Kerr is aiming a little higher after taking a share of the lead after the first round of the LPGA Championship on Thursday.

Relying on her clutch putting, and untroubled by a heavy downpour that briefly stopped play early in the afternoon, Kerr shot a 4-under 68 to match Stacy Lewis and Seon Hwa Lee on the Locust Hill Country Club course outside of Rochester.

It’s still anybody’s event as the tough conditions — including a persistent and gusting wind — created a logjam behind the leaders in the LPGA Tour’s second major of the season. Inbee Park, Mika Miyazato and Lindsey Wright were a stroke back.

And score one for Juli Inkster. The 31-time LPGA tour winner celebrated turning 50 with a 71. She was tied for 11th and 19 players were within three shots of the lead.

Paula Creamer, competing in only her second tournament since having surgery to repair ligament damage in her left thumb, was among those at 1 under. Creamer struggled with her putting, and played with her left thumb wrapped.

Kerr has plenty of incentive to win this weekend. Though she has 13 career victories, she’s only won one major — the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open.

Then there’s the objective to climb into the race for top spot in the world rankings. She opened the week ranked fifth and with a victory has a chance to move firmly into contention after Ai Miyazato supplanted Jiyai Shin for the top spot last weekend.

Miyazato, who has won four tournaments this season, struggled Thursday, finishing with a 76.