NAPLES, Fla. (January 21, 1999) Using a new cross-handed putting grip for the second straight week, Australian Karrie Webb shot a 9-under-par 63 today to take the first-round lead in the $750,000 Naples LPGA Memorial.

Less than a week after finishing second in the season-opening HealthSouth Inaugural, Webb said she has gained even more confidence in her putting stroke. The 63, which gave her a two-shot lead over seven players, tied her career-best round set at the 1997 Weetabix Women's British Open.

"On this course, you feel like you can do that," said Webb. "But the biggest change for me is putting cross-handed. (The ball) comes off the putter more consistent. It's a minor thing, but it's going to help me a lot."

On this day, it didn't seem to matter what putting style the golfers used. The par-72, 6,328-yard course at The Club at Pelican Strand offered little resistance.

Webb was joined in the 60s by 29 players, including a large group at 65. Beth Daniel, Cindy McCurdy, Michelle Estill, Hollis Stacy, Liselotte Neumann, Chris Johnson and Jill McGill were each 7-under.

It seemed like every time someone finished a round, they were setting a record on the year-old golf course.

"If you can keep it in play, the greens set up for going for the pin," said Jean Bartholomew, who finished with a 66.

Webb was the perfect example of that as she birdied the first three holes with putts no longer than 10 feet. She continued to knock the ball close all day, with her only lengthy birdie a 40-footer on No. 8.

She also had an impressive sand save on the par-3, 17th. Her tee shot plugged in the bunker near the lip, but she was able to hack it out with a sand wedge and make the 10-foot putt.

"This week is probably a bit of a momentum swing from last week," she said. "I felt good and I played good."

DIVOTS: Jenny Lidback aced the par-3, 156-yard 15th hole and won a $30,000 Harley Davidson Motorcycle. ... Beth Daniel's 65 was her best round in at least two seasons as she said she has fully recovered from arthroscopic surgery to her left shoulder last April. ... Se Ri Pak broke par for the first time in 1999 with a 70. She missed the cut last week at the HealthSouth Inaugural.