Munoz ahead by 1 in LPGA

Associated Press

MOBILE, ALA.

Azahara Munoz shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over Katherine Hull and Jee Young Lee in the Bell Micro LPGA Classic, the LPGA Tour’s first event since Erica Blasberg was found dead.

Munoz, the former Spanish amateur star who won the 2008 NCAA individual title to lead Arizona State to the team championship, had a bogey-free round on The Crossings course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Magnolia Grove complex.

“This morning I couldn’t get up,” said Munoz, who had a 6:50 a.m. tee time off the 10th tee. “But once I’m up and I get going, it’s fine.”

Blasberg died Sunday in suburban Las Vegas and her agent said she had been all set to attempt to qualify for the field at Magnolia Grove. Police have not said if they suspect foul play. The coroner said a ruling on a cause of death was pending blood and tissue tests that could take four to six weeks to complete.

Cristie Kerr, Meena Lee, Janice Moodie and Hye Jung Choi shot 67s, and Suzann Pettersen, Eunjung Yi, Sun Young Yoo and Amanda Blumenherst opened with 68s.

Jiyai Shin, No. 1 in the world ranking following Lorena Ochoa’s retirement two weeks ago after the Tres Marias Championship in Mexico, had a 70.

Ai Miyazato also opened with a 70 and Michelle Wie shot a 72.

Munoz hit every fairway and missed only one green in regulation — on No. 11 when she holed out of a greenside bunker for her first birdie of the round.

“I was playing really well,” said Munoz, making her second LPGA Tour start of the year. “Actually, a lot of putts didn’t go in, but every putt I hit had a chance.”