Tina Barrett said there is no mystery to her career-best 8-under 64 in the first round of the Michelob Light Classic today.

"I just hit it close all day," said Barrett, whose short irons put her ahead of the field quickly in the $800,000 tournament, dominated by Annika Sorenstam three of the last four years. Sorenstam finished four strokes back with a 68.

While some of the LPGA's long hitters look down on Forest Hills Country Club's lack of length, Barrett said the 6,375-yard, par-72 course played to her strengths.

"I'm a position player,'' said Barrett, 33, of Scottsdale, Ariz. "I don't overpower a course. My irons were pretty good today. I had a few bad shots, but they didn't hurt me at all. Every putt was pretty easy.

"It felt good, but 64 always feels good. I've been playing OK, but this is my lowest by three shots this year.''

Barrett is 41st on the money list.

Sorenstam said the heat, in the low 90s, tired her near the end of her round, but not to the point that it hurt her game.

"I was pleased with the way I played,'' she said. "It was a quality round. I hit a lot of greens.''

Canada's Lori Kane and Nancy Scranton of Tampa, Fla., finished with 5-under 67s. They were followed by Australia's Rachael Hetherington, England's Joanne Morley, Sherri Turner of Oak Ridge, N.C., and Sorenstam at 68.

"I love this course,'' said Kane, in her fourth year on the tour and still looking for her first win. "You have to use every club in your bag. There is room for them to make it a little longer if they want to.''

Kane said she believes she is capable of breaking through soon.

"I'm doing everything in my power to get into the winner's circle," she said.

Scranton, who bogeyed her first hole and had to scramble for a par on the next, said she was pleased with the way she overcame the poor start.

"I was really shaky early on, but then I started hitting it really well,'' Scranton said. "It's not an easy golf course."

Julie Piers of Palm City, Fla., made a run late in the day, reaching 5-under after 16 holes, but took a quadruple bogey to finish with a 2-under 70.

Sorenstam, confident of her ability on the course, said she was looking forward to Friday.

"I like coming back here,'' Sorenstam said. "I know how to play this course. you still have to hit the shots required, but all the pieces are there. It's much smoother than it was last week, so I'm excited.''

AP