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EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France: World No.1 Lorena Ochoa is eager to add a first Evian Masters to her winning portfolio, and she made a near perfect start with a seven under par 65 on a day of ideal scoring conditions.
With a flawless round, the 26-year-old Mexican led by one from South Korea's Sun-Ju Ahn, Brazils' Angela Park and Taiwan's Candie Kung, while Annika Sorenstam, a course specialist and two-time winner, was on 71.
France's Gwladys Nocera, the No.1 player in Europe this year, played alongside Ochoa, but was nine shots behind her illustrious partner on 74.
Ochoa, returning from a three week tournament break, took a while to get the putter in full working order, but a back nine of six under par 30 confirmed she is ready to continue a stunning season that has already amassed six titles.
"I had a slowish start," said Ochoa on her front nine of eight pars and a birdie at the first.
"But then I rolled in putts on the tenth and 11th and it got my confidence going.
"I'm glad to be at the top and I'm really happy with my position. But I still have to be patient, there are another three rounds to go."
Ochoa's back nine was made up of birdies at the 10th, 11th and 13th and then three in a row from the 15th. The longest putt was 25 feet, while she slipped in a nice one from 18 feet at the short 17th.
Sorenstam, the champion in 2000 and 2002, was relieved that it was only Thursday.
"I wish I'd scored a little better, but there are still a lot of holes to go," said the 37-year-old, who has already announced she will retire at the end of the year.
"But I know this course very well and so I hope I can capitalise on it over the next three days."
The Swede managed four birdies, but three bogeys - including three-putts at the sixth and 15th - blighted the card.
Nocera, a two-time winner this year, was ahead of Ochoa after birdies at the fifth and seventh, but a poor drive resulted in a seven at the long l5th and another double-bogey at the par four 16th contributed to a poor back nine of 40.
Defending champion Natalie Gulbis was the third player in Ochoa's group and the American opened with a solid 70. - AFP/de
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