WILLIAMSBURG (Virginia): Scotland's Mhairi McKay (pic) matched her career-best round with an eight-under 63 on Thursday to seize a one-shot lead in the US$2.2 million (RM7 million) LPGA Michelob Ultra Open.

Mhairi, 33, notched eight birdies in a flawless round that tied the Kingsmill course record and left her one stroke in front of former World No 1 Annika Sorenstam of Sweden and South Korean Yoo Sun-young.

Mhairi will now try to parlay that lead into her first career LPGA Tour victory, to go with her five runner-up finishes on the tour and two international triumphs as a professional. The last of those was her victory in the 2003 Australian Women's Open.

Mhairi sank short birdie putts at three, six, seven and eight, then added birdies from the 25-foot range at the 11th and 14th. She wrapped up the round with birdies at 15 and 18.

Annika, the superstar who already boasts two wins this season as she bounces back from an injury plagued 2007, had seven birdies in her seven-under 64.
Annika was tied with Sun-young who recorded six birdies on the front nine. The South Korean bogeyed the fourth, but bounced back nicely with four birdies in a row from the sixth.

Meanwhile, World No 1 Lorena Ochoa kept herself within striking distance with a 65 that was highlighted by an eagle at the seventh.

Lorena was tied with American Diana D'Alessio two shots off the pace. -- AFP