CATRIONA MATTHEW FACES FIGHT TO BEAT CUT AFTER A 73

SUZANN PETTERSEN LEADS NORTH 

TEXAS LPGA SHOOT-OUT

Photo Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Suzann Pettersen of Norway hits a tee shot during Round One of the North Texas LPGA Shootout  
FROM THE LPGA TOUR WEBSITE

World No. 4 Suzann Pettersen used a pair of birdies on two of her final three holes to take a one-shot lead at the North Texas LPGA Shoot-out at Las Colinas Country Club. Pettersen finished with a bogey-free, five-under 66 in the first round and leads a group of six players who are tied for second at four-under par. 

The group consists of a mix of multiple-time LPGA winners and up and coming talent. Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie, Christina Kim, Dori Carter, Caroline Masson and Cydney Clanton are all one shot back.

Pettersen, who made her return last week after a four-week hiatus due to a back injury, said she felt good on Thursday but was a bit tense to start.
“I feel good,” said Pettersen. “I mean very patient.  Just really trying to enjoy being back. I've got to pace myself a little bit.  I can’t do too much early in the week.  So I have a lot of spare time to fool around with. Just playing good.  Hitting the ball great.  
"Today I was actually feeling a little bit tense to start, which is a good sign.  So nice to be back.”
Pettersen finished T28 last week in San Francisco and said she had no idea what shape her game would be in when she started back up.
“I was prepared it was going to take a while, because the pain was very similar to what I had 10 years ago,” said Pettersen. “But you try not to be stupid.  You try and learn from your past and learn from experience."
Michelle Wie, who clinched her third LPGA victory two weeks ago in Hawaii, had four birdies, two birdies and an eagle on the 10th hole in her round of 67. “It was a fun day out there today,” said Wie. “You know, I love my playing partners.  Good crowd.  A little bit cold in the morning, but happy with my round. I started off hot, and then I had a little three putt, just couldn’t get anything going after that, but the eagle is always nice.”
Defending champion and World No. 1 Inbee Park and No. 3 Stacy Lewis both opened with even-par 71 and sit in a T35 and five shots back.
Yorkshire's Jodi Ewart Shadoff heads the British contingent with a 69 for a share of 11th place. She is one ahead of Felicity Johnson (T19).
Karen Stupples shot a 71 but Catrona Matthew (73) and Becky Morgan (79) disappointed.
The Scot birdied two par-5 holes, the third and 10th, but had too many bogeys - at the first, eighth, 15th and short 17th. She is tied 76th which is miss-the-cut territory.
LEADERBOARD
Par 71 Players from USA unless stated
66 Suzann Pettersen (Norway)
67 Caroline Masson (Germany), Michelle Wie, Cydney Clanton, Christina Kim, Dori Carter, Cristie Kerr.
SELECTED OTHERS
69 Jodi Ewart Shadoff (England) (T11)
70 Azahara Munoz (Spain), Felicity Johnson (England) (T19)
71 Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park (South Korea), Karen Stupples (England) (T36).
73 Catriona Matthew (Scotland) (T76)
76 Carlota Ciganda (Spain) (T116)
79 Becky Morgan (Wales) (T137).

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