Pak takes opening advantage

Playing in her homeland, Se Ri Pak upstaged playing partner Annika Sorenstam on Friday by shooting a 7-under-par 65 in the opening round of the Nine Bridges Classic.

Pak had eight birdies and a bogey en route to a four-stroke lead at The Club at Nine Bridges course.

She claimed her fourth title of the year - second only to Sorenstam - two weeks ago, winning the Tournament of Champions in Alabama by recording four straight birdies on the back nine en route to a 6-under-par 66. It was the 17th career win for Pak, a 25-year-old from Daejeon, Korea.

Koreans have combined for seven wins this season. They could have given home fans something to cheer about here last year, but the tournament was canceled following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Sorenstam sits eight shots out of the lead after starting with a 73. The 31-year-old from Sweden is looking to become the first player to win 10 LPGA Tour events in a season since Kathy Whitworth and Carol Mann both did it in 1968. She already is the first in 24 years to win nine times.

Sorenstam was in contention two weeks ago at the Tournament of Champions but fell short in her bid for a fourth consecutive LPGA Tour title. It also ended any hopes she had of setting a single-season record for victories.

On the brink of her fifth Player of the Year honor, Sorenstam needs to win the final four events to tie the record for titles in a season, established by Mickey Wright in 1963.

Americans Cristie Kerr and Jackie Gallagher-Smith recorded 69s and are tied for second. Lorie Kane leads a group of six golfers who are five strokes back.

This tournament begins a three-week stay in Asia. It is followed by the World Ladies Match Play Championship in Narita, Japan and Mizuno Classic in Otsu-Shi, Shiga, Japan.

First prize at the $1.5 million event is $225,000.

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