Diaz Leads Canadian Women's Open

Thursday, August 16th 2007, 8:24 pm

By: News On 6

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) _ Laura Diaz shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Canadian Women's Open, while 17-year-old Michelle Wie opened with a 75 to drop 10 strokes back.

Diaz, coming off a second-place tie Sunday in Sweden in the European tour's Scandinavian TPC, made a long birdie putt on the par-4 first hole _ her 10th hole of the day on the Royal Mayfair course.

``It was just really fun for me to make the 33-footer,'' Diaz said. It's been what I've struggled with, so it was nice to see that go in. It puts me in a good frame of mind going into tomorrow.''

Wie, making her first appearance in the event, closed her late afternoon round with a double bogey on the par-4 ninth. She also had a double-bogey 6 on No. 12, a bogey on the par-5 third and a birdie on the par-4 first.

``Who wouldn't be frustrated today, right?'' Wie said. ``It's a very frustrating round because I felt like I was driving good and I had two bad holes. I mean, I played very consistently aside from that, made a lot of good par saves. I've just got to break through and shoot a really low score.''

Kelli Kuehne and Kyeong Bae opened with 66s, 2005 winner Meena Lee topped a group at 67, and Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster shot 68s.

Kuehne has missed the cut in eight of her last nine tournaments.

``Have you seen my year?'' Kuehne asked. ``Just one day at a time. I've got some things I've got to go work on practice-wise. I'll go out tomorrow, add them up when we're done, and keep going.''

Defending champion Cristie Kerr had a 69.

``I didn't putt as well as I would like to,'' said Kerr, the U.S. Open champion. ``I had a lot of chances out there for birdie and I missed a couple of short putts.

``I have a lot to work on, but with all that being said I shot two under and I'm only four back at this point and it's only Thursday, so there's a lot to be positive about at this point.''

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa opened with a 70 in her first round since winning the Women's British Open at St. Andrews.

``I hit the ball really good, especially with the irons. Not so good with my driver,'' Ochoa said. ``It was kind of like an up and down round, but I'm pleased I finished in the red numbers and all that matters is to be in a good position for the rest of the tournament.''

Alena Sharp shot a 70 to top the 15 Canadians in the field.

``I putted really well today on the front,'' said Sharp, from Hamilton, Ontario. ``When I wasn't playing so well, I was making great up and downs and great long putts, so I'm very happy with the way I started. It's nerve-racking the first day at the Canadian Open being a Canadian, so I'm really happy.''

Canadian star Lorie Kane matched Wie with a 75.

``I don't think I'm out of it,'' Kane said.