Redman leads, Sorenstam one back after ace

<br>VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) _ Michele Redman had a lot more fun in the first round of the Samsung World Championship than she did in her final match in the Solheim Cup. <br><br>Eleven days after losing the

Friday, October 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) _ Michele Redman had a lot more fun in the first round of the Samsung World Championship than she did in her final match in the Solheim Cup.

Eleven days after losing the final five holes to halve her singles match with Norway's Suzann Pettersen, Redman shot a 7-under-par 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over Annika Sorenstam in the elite 20-player event.

``I learned a lot there,'' Redman said of her experience in the United State's victory over Europe in the Solheim Cup. ``I felt like I played really good golf there. ... I've really been playing good since July. That's what I want to continue, playing really consistent and hitting a lot of greens.''

Sorenstam, the tournament winner in 1995 and 1996, had a hole-in-one on the 185-yard 17th hole on the Hiddenbrooke course. She used a 5-iron for her sixth ace as a professional.

``I told the ball to go into the hole,'' said Sorenstam, who bogeyed the 18th for a 66. ``I couldn't see the ball, but when I saw the crowd jump up and down, I knew it went in.''

The Swedish star has won her last three individual tournaments, and has eight victories and record earnings of $2,211,991 in 17 LPGA Tour starts. She also won the Australian Masters and Compaq Open in Sweden, giving her 10 worldwide victories in 19 events.

``I've won eight times, but there are still a lot of records on the LPGA that I'd like to break,'' she said. ``I'm motivated every day I get up. Now I'm playing so well, it makes it fun also. I just want to play the best I can and see what I can do this year.''

Grace Park opened with a 67, and U.S. Solheim Cup players Cristie Kerr, Laura Diaz and Rosie Jones shot 68s. Se Ri Pak, the 1999 winner, was four strokes back along with Mi Hyun Kim and European Solheim Cup player Paula Marti.

Redman, who won the 2000 Betsy King Classic for the last of her two LPGA Tour victories, had seven birdies in her bogey-free round. She holed a birdie chip from the front fringe on the par-3 13th and two-putted from 50 feet on the par-5 18th to reach 7 under.

``I've been playing pretty well since the middle of the year,'' Redman said. ``I'd say a lot of it is that I started putting a lot better since I switched to the two-ball putter. I took only 25 putts today and missed only four greens.''

Park had five birdies on the back nine, including a 15-foot putt on No. 18.

``You couldn't ask for better conditions,'' Park said. ``It was a little cold in the morning, but it warmed up when my group got to the tee. There was just a little bit of wind coming in, but it wasn't enough to affect play.''

U.S. Women's Open champion Juli Inkster, the 1997, '98 and '00 winner, was at 70 along with Lorie Kane. Defending champion Dorothy Delasin opened with a 72, and Karrie Webb had a 75.