Sorenstam among eight leaders at Lorena's event

Golf Betting Lines

11/13/2008 - Guadalajara, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Annika Sorenstam chipped in twice on Thursday, including one for birdie at the last, en route to a four-under 68 and a share of the first-round lead of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Sorenstam, Karen Stupples, Nicole Castrale, Hee-Won Han, Brittany Lang, Seon- Hwa Lee, Angela Stanford and world No. 2 Yani Tseng are knotted atop the leaderboard at Guadalajara Country Club.

Ochoa's first round as a tournament host was not a memorable one in terms of the on-course performance. The world's best birdied her last for a one-over 73, but she is tied for 24th place, five behind the huge pack in first.

"This was difficult," admitted Ochoa. "Just a lot of emotions. Unfortunately, I didn't play the way I wanted to. I'm really happy. I'm going to try and make a lot of birdies tomorrow."

Ochoa brought an elite field of 36 players to her home country. This is her first experience as a tournament host, but her first event certainly brought a competitive balance.

Sorenstam, who is playing in her second-to-last event on the LPGA Tour, was spotty on Thursday, but her short game kept her in the mix.

The Swede birdied three of her first six holes, then got to four-under after a birdie putt from off the green at 10. Sorenstam chipped in for birdie at 12 to take the lead at minus-five, but trouble loomed.

Sorenstam missed short par saves at 14 and 16, but appeared to have one more good birdie opportunity at the par-five closing hole. She missed the green with her second, but chipped in a second time for her piece of the first-round lead.

"I'm very pleased," said Sorenstam. "I'm very happy with the start. I worked a little bit on my swing with my coach the last few days and it feels a lot better. I feel like my game is coming around."

It's an odd time for Sorenstam's swing to come around considering she has this event and next week's ADT Championship to finish off her LPGA Tour career. She has three wins in her final year on tour, but has not visited the winner's circle since the Michelob Ultra Open in early May.

There are still players with something to earn this week. Lang for one needs a victory in this tournament to get a spot in the field next week.

"I knew I would have to do something pretty special, but I didn't know I'd have to win," admitted Lang, who birdied four of her last five holes, including three in a row to finish.

Tseng also could use a good week. Despite winning her first major at the LPGA Championship, Tseng doesn't have Rookie of the Year honors wrapped up, but is in the lead on the points list. She is 263 points ahead of Na Yeon Choi, so Tseng would like a strong finish or even a victory.

"I really like this course," said Tseng, who converted a three-footer for birdie at the last hole to join the logjam in first. "(Rookie of the Year) is my first goal for this year. You only have one chance to be Rookie of the Year."

Choi holed her third shot at 18 for an eagle and a three-under 69. She is tied for ninth place with Sophie Gustafson, Jee-Young Lee and Meena Lee only one back.

Paula Creamer, a four-time winner this season, struggled to a three-over 75 and is one shot out of last place. Sophia Sheridan, a sponsor's exemption, managed a 76 on Thursday for 36th.