Apr13 Daviesleadslpga

Published:

Laura Davies is leading after one round of the Ginn Open in America.

The talk is all around Annika Sorenstam’s injury and time out of the game, but England’s Davies got on with the job in hand.

Sorenstam withdrew from the Ginn Open on Thursday because of a ruptured disk in her back, saying she will be out at least a month.

“Obviously it’s not good for anybody if Annika is not playing,” Davies said. “It’s the same as if Tiger (Woods) had a month-long injury and a bad back. Not that people wouldn’t watch it, but they’d rather see the premier players up there, and Annika is and has been a premier. Has been for a long time.”

Davies has been joined at the top of the leaderboard by Lorena Ochoa. She shot a 6-under 66 in the opening round and was one shot ahead of Lincicome. Turner, Na Ri Kim and defending champion Mi Hyun Kim were 4 under.

Morgan Pressel, who became the youngest major champion in LPGA history with her victory at the Kraft, shot 75 and was nine shots off the lead.

Lopez, who is attempting a comeback after taking most of the last four years off, was 11 over and next to last in the 143-woman field. The 50-year-old Lopez lost nearly 40 pounds in hopes of competing with players mostly half her age.

She envisioned Sorenstam as the one to beat. Now, at least for the next month, that appears to be Ochoa.

Ochoa would prefer a head-to-head victory against Sorenstam to become No. 1 in the world rankings. The 25-year-old Mexican star might have to settle for gaining the top spot a different way – with Sorenstam injured and out of the mix.

“I would love for her to be playing, yes,” Ochoa said. “So I guess right now it’s the way it is. But I think I better keep playing good and just take advantage of that. But I wish her all the best. Hopefully she will be (back soon).”

Picture: John Raoux, Associated Press

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.