Akiko Fukushima shot a 6-under par 64 today to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the inaugural Philips Invitational honoring Harvey Penick.

The 25-year-old native of Kanagawa, Japan, played the back nine first at the Onion Creek Country Club, and started with a bogey. But she recovered with seven birdies, including five of her last nine holes, to take the lead from early pacesetter Dale Eggeling, who carded a five-under 65 on the 6,101-yard course.

"I was able to drive well," said Fukushima, ninth-ranked on the LPGA Tour in driving distance at 253.3 yards. "I was quite pleased. It was my best score here (in the U.S.) to date."

Seven players, including Meg Mallon, the tour's winner last week in Nashville, Tenn., were tied for third at four-under 66. The group also included Laura Davies, Susie Redman and Jill McGill.

Six more women are one more stroke behind in the chase for the $120,000 first prize in the tournament honoring longtime golf teacher Harvey Penick, who died in 1995 at age 90.

This 72-hole, $800,000 event also marks the LPGA's return to Austin for the first time since the 1962 Civitan Open. It's the LPGA's first tourney in Texas since 1986.

It's the 12th tournament of Fukushima's rookie year on the LPGA Tour. She ranks 26th on the money list with $91,763 and has three top-10 finishes.

"I have hit the ball well this year," she said through an interpreter. "But the putting, it just hasn't been there."

Davies, a 17-time winner in her 13-year LPGA career, said it was her best opening round of the season. Her 66 featured six birdies.

"But it's been a disappointing year thus far," Davies said. "I've had two top-10 finishes and that's not good enough. Top-10 finishes are all that matter."

While several of the golfers talked about difficult greens on the course -- many greens were under up to 22 feet of water during October flooding in Central Texas -- Redman snaked in four birdie putts of 15 feet or longer.

"I tried a new stroke today," Redman said. "I found I was pushing the ball by holding my wrist."

Eggeling, who has only two top-10 finishes this season, is simply happy her knee isn't giving her any more trouble. She had arthroscopic surgery March 31 when the post-round ice packs no longer soothed the pain.

"Because of taking five weeks off with the surgery, I wasn't anticipating anything great this year," she said. "I figured I would have no pressure and just enjoy life."

AP