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Jessica Korda tied for lead after first round of Australian Ladies Masters

By Associated Press
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Jessica Korda tied for lead after first round of Australian Ladies Masters

GOLD COAST, Australia – Jessica Korda of the United States sustained her strong early-season form to share the lead with compatriot Katie Burnett after Thursday's first round of the Ladies Australian Masters. 
 
After winning the season-opening Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic event last week, the 20-year-old Korda carded eight birdies and three bogeys in a 5-under 68 in this Ladies European Tour event. 
 
Korda won the 2012 Australian Open and again showed her liking for Australian conditions, holding the outright lead until Burnett closed with birdies on her last two holes. 
 
 
They were a stroke ahead of Valentine Derrey of France, who finished with an eagle on 18 to card a 4-under 69, matched by American Cheyenne Woods, South Africans Stacey Lee Bregman and Lee-Anne Pace and Canadian Lorie Kane. 
 
Defending champion and eight-time tournament-winner Karrie Webb of Austalia shot a first round 74; six shots off the pace. 
 
"It was a tricky day," Webb said. "Not a disaster, though. That's my first round (for 2014) under the belt and we'll see how the rest of the tournament goes."