Stupples soars into early lead at British Open

SUNNINGDALE, England -- Annika Sorenstam's strong start at the Women's British Open was not quite as good as Karen Stupples' opening round.

Stupples, the touring pro for Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, made seven birdies in a bogey-free 7-under 65 Thursday, putting her three shots ahead of defending champion Sorenstam.

Sorenstam was in a group of five players at 4 under. South Korea's Jung Yeon Lee is alone in second place after a 67.

Stupples, an Englishwoman whose only LPGA Tour victory came at the season-opening event in Tucson, Ariz., held the lead midway through the Evian Masters last week before fading to a fourth-place finish.

American Natalie Gulbis, Scotland's Catriona Matthew, Finland's Minea Blomqvist and Germany's Bettina Hauert are tied with Sorenstam.

U.S. Women's Open champion Meg Mallon opened with a 3-over 75.

Playing what she termed "strategic" golf, Stupples used her driver just four times and stayed out of the bunkers. She also made two 15-foot birdie putts, with her others coming from closer range.

She had no problem watching the leadboard.

"It was great to see the progress, looking at the numbers -- one, two three and so on up to seven. That was pretty good," said Stupples, whose win at the Welch's/Fry's Championship in March came after just a third-place finish in five years on tour. "And looking at who else was out there, where they were at, how they were doing. I think it's always good to look."

By the time Stupples finished, Sorenstam was long gone.

Chasing her eighth career major victory and second of the season, Sorenstam had an early start and took advantage of the sunny, windless conditions on the par-72, 6,392-yard Sunningdale Golf Club Old Course. She held the lead until Stupples finished five hours later.

The Swede picked up birdies at Nos. 2 and 3 and, after bogeys at the fourth and sixth, picked up more ground at the turn.

Sorenstam didn't have to make any long putts for her birdies. Her longest of the seven was from 9 feet.

"I'm very happy with my 68," Sorenstam said. "It's one of the better starts in the championship for me.

"I wanted to take advantage of my tee time. The conditions were great -- not a breath of air. The greens were pure and they were really good scoring conditions."