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France’s Karine Icher fired a 7-under, 65, to take a two stroke lead in the first round over two-time Canadian Pacific Women’s Open champion Lydia Ko.

Icher only needed 24 putts in her bogey-free round which included seven birdies.

“My putting was very good, and I think today I’ve seen the hole bigger than the other days,” Icher said. “So sometimes you have days like that where everything works, so I’m quite happy with this one.”

Ko went 5-under par, 67, to sit in solo second. It was three years ago when Ko became the youngest winner in LPGA history at a mere 15 years, 4 months and 2 days to win her first LPGA Tour event.

“I think the biggest difference is me. I don’t have the glasses, and I feel much older,” Ko said with a smile. “But it’s great to come back to a course where you’ve played well and the spectators have been great and they’ve been supporting me today, even in the practice rounds. It’s definitely a great where you feel really welcome.”

Ko said the greens were firm and slippery.

“With some of the greens, especially on the front nice, being a little sloppy, a three-footer might be just as hard as a 15-footer going straight up the hill,” said Ko. “You’re never going to get the straight putts, so, like I said, it’s definitely testing all elements of your game.”

24:["cpkc-womens-open"]

Icher Goes Bogey-Free to Lead After Round 1

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