Wie hits the front in Mexico

Last updated: 9th November 2012

Michelle Wie, Angela Stanford and Candie Kung share the lead after the first round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.

The trio carded six-under rounds of 66 at the Guadalajara Country Club to hold a one-shot lead over a group of five players.

Wie notched up a blemish-free round, opening with two birdies before conjuring up a run of four birdies on the trot at the start of the back nine.

Indeed, runs of birdies were a theme at the top of the leaderboard, with Stanford nailing five birdies from the 9th to the 16th, including three in a row from 14 to 16. Kung meanwhile started strongly, birding the 2nd to the 4th only to bogey the 5th hole.

The tournament is one that holds good memories for Wie as it was the site of her first professional win in 2009.

"It's been a really difficult year," said Wie. "It's been the hardest year I've had so far."

A shot adrift from Wie is world number two Stacy Lewis who is joined by with Inbee Park, Cristie Kerr, So Yeon Ryu and Karine Icher.

Lewis and Park are currently involved in a battle in the player of the year points race, with the American currently 58 points ahead of her South Korean counterpart.

"We actually haven't played together this year," said Lewis of her pairing with Park on day one. "It was fun to play together when we are both playing really well, she has won and finished second so she's playing well too."