Canadian Alena Sharp finished the first round two strokes off the lead Thursday at the Honda LPGA Thailand, where an 11-year-old Thai girl shot 3 over par.
Suzann Pettersen of Norway topped the leaderboard yet again, shooting a 7-under 65 in warm and breezy conditions.
Sharp, winless in two full seasons on the tour, had six birdies and a bogey in her 67 on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Country Club to finish the opening round alone in second place.
"Last week, you had to try to stay warm and, this week, you're sweating to death," said the 26-year-old native of Hamilton, Ont. "Mentally, I think, I knew last week, with the cold weather, a lot of girls wouldn't play very well. It's just harder in the cold. It's so much easier in the warmth. Now, you're looking for shade out here this week."
Thai amateur Ariya Jutanugarn occupied much of the spotlight. At 11 years, 11 months, she is the youngest qualifier by two months to play an LPGA Tour event.
Jutanugarn, 10 strokes back after a 3-over 75, broke American Michelle Wie's mark of 12 years four months 14 days set in the 2002 Takefuji Classic. Beverly Klass holds the overall record, playing a 1967 event in Dallas at 10 years six months three days.
Jutanugarn's 13-year-old sister, Moriya, served as her caddie.
Sorenstam off the paceSeeking her second straight victory and third in four weeks, Pettersen missed an opportunity to take a much bigger first-round lead, shooting 1 over in the final seven holes after posting eight birdies on the first 11 holes.
"These greens, you just have to attack where you can attack and, if you can't, then you have to play for the big centre part," Pettersen said. "The greens are tough because the runoffs are so severe."
The Norwegian star won last week in South Korea in cold and windy conditions.
"It's very warm, but the breeze makes it quite nice," Pettersen said. "So, I just tried to go out there and take what the course gave me. It's like last week, you could stand and talk about the shot and then, when it's your turn, the wind's turned."
Brazil's Angela Park and Australia's Katherine Hull shot 68s to occupy third place, while defending champion Hee-Won Han of South Korea — making her first start since the birth of her first child this summer — topped a group at 69.
Former world No. 1 Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, winless since September 2006, was seven shots behind at 72 along with Americans Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome and Thai star Virada Nirapathpongporn.
Kraft Nabisco winner Morgan Pressel of the U.S. and Japanese star Ai Miyazato struggled. Pressel shot a 75, and Miyazato's 79 left her tied for 56th in the 60-player field.
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Live stream & chat: Australia vs. Serbia
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