Lee leads Korean charge

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South Korea's Bo-Mee Lee has set the pace in Thursday's first round of the Australian Ladies Masters, shooting a flawless 7-under 65 at RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland. TaylorMade - Burner SuperLaunch Rescue Combo Iron Set


The 23-year-old fired seven birdies to end the day a stroke clear of early clubhouse leader So Yeon Ryu, fellow Korean Hee Kyung Seo and Holland's Christel Boeljon.

England's Felicity Johnson shares fifth place on 67 alongside American teenager Lexi Thompson and Australians Stephanie Na and Nikki Campbell.

Fellow Australians Frances Bondad, Courtney Massey and Sarah Kemp all shot four under 68s to finish the day in a share of ninth position and give the home galleries reason to cheer. TaylorMade - Burner SuperLaunch Rescue Combo Iron Set

Lee, who was the Korean LPGA player of the Year in 2010 and now plies her trade on the Japanese circuit, said Thursday's round was one where everything just worked.

"Good driver, good irons, putting was good. It was easy, easy today," she said.

Ryu, the reigning US Open Champion, had earlier shot a bogey-free six under 66 and admitted to feeling pressurized by the high expectations of home fans at the start of her first tournament for 2012, but said a birdie on her third TaylorMade - Burner SuperLaunch Rescue Combo Iron Set
of the day, the 501m par five 12th hole, had settled her down.

"I sunk my birdie putt and then I could finally relax," she said. "I think it was a really great round. It was a really lovely day for me."

"A lot of people have really high expectations for me so I am a little bit worried about TaylorMade - Burner SuperLaunch Rescue Combo Iron Set
she said. "I really try hard and I am really training hard but if I hit it bad, a lot of people are disappointed with me."