Melissa Reid Rues Poor Nabisco Finish

Melissa Reid

Melissa Reid of England was left to consider what might have been as wasted a storming start at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Starting on the 10, the 23-year-old from Derbyshire birdied four of her first five holes before picking up a further two shots by the time she reached the 12th.

However her round imploded as she carded three bogeys and a double bogey to finish on one-under at Mission Hills Country Club.

That left Americans Brittany Lincicome and Stacy Lewis to finish the opening round in charge - with the duo finishing on six-under.

Lincicome enjoyed a bogey-free round, while 26-year-old Lewis dropped just the one solitary shot.

"It was very easy," the 25-year-old Lincicome said. "It was one of those days where I really didn't have to think too hard and everything kind of came naturally. My putting was amazing. I made everything.

Relaxing

"I probably only had two scary par saves. One was about 10 feet on one, slider, right-to-left breaker, which was my 10th hole, first hole. But other than that, it was really pretty easy-going and relaxing out there."

Although the temperatures soared to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, Lewis thrived in the conditions.

"I really don't mind the heat at all," Lewis said.

"I'd rather have hot and humid heat than dry heat, but I grew up in Texas in the summers, so I'm used to playing golf when it's over 100 degrees. I say bring it because the ball goes a mile, so I like it."

Lincicome and Lewis finished one clear of Japan's Mika Miyazato and Germany's Sandra Gal, the winner of last week's Kia Classic.

American Jane Park and Japan's Chie Arimura were a shot further back, while Anna Nordqvist of Sweden, American Reilley Rankin and Australian Karrie Webb carded rounds of 69.

World No.1 and defending champion Yani Tseng finished just off the pace on two-under, however world No.2 Jiyai Shin could only shoot a one-over 73 and No.3 Cristie Kerr suffered a terrible start after carding a six-over 78.

Reid was joined by fellow Brit Karen Stupples on one-under, while Becky Morgan was level par, Laura Davies one over and Scotland's Catriona Matthew a disappointing seven over.