Summary Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker both shot 6-under 66s Wednesday to share the lead.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: - Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker both shot 6-under 66s Wednesday to share the lead after the first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters.
Shanshan, who became the first player from mainland China to win a major championship in June at the LPGA Championship, had six birdies at the Emirates Golf Club.
"I was patient because I was only 1 under after seven holes," Shanshan said. "I missed a lot of chances but then made a 15-footer on 8 and started doing really well from there."
Parker moved into a tie for the lead by birdieing the par-5 18th.
"My putting was really good today," the Englishwoman said. "I hit 14 greens, had 26 putts, so I rolled them in nicely and got off to a good start. I've always done well on this course."
Klara Spilkova, Sahra Hassan and Cindy Lacrosse were a stroke behind at the season-ending Ladies European Tour tournament, while American teen and defending champion Lexi Thompon opened with a 69.
"I could have dropped a few more putts. I had a lot of lip-outs out there. But I'll take 3 under for a first round," said Thompson, who had two bogeys on her first four holes. "If I can stay around there and shoot a few more under than that, I'll be in a good position."
Michelle Wie (70) is four shots behind after a round that included a double-bogey on the par-4 12th. Carlota Ciganda, who leads the Order of Merit, shot 70.
