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Hurst, Hetherington Share Lead

Associated Press

Golf

Pat Hurst, a winner once in her three years on the tour, and Rachel Hetherington, looking for her first victory, each shot 4-under-par 68 Thursday to share the opening lead in the season’s first LPGA major: the Nabisco Dinah Shore at Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Hurst shot a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine at Mission Hills Country Club, then had two birdies and a bogey on the back side.

Hetherington, an Australian beginning her second year on the tour, was in one of the final groups to tee off and finished at dusk. She went to 4-under with a birdie on No. 15, then parred the final three holes.

Liselotte Neumann of Sweden, last weekend’s winner at Phoenix, and Sherri Steinhauer were one shot back of the leaders with opening 69s.

Helen Alfredsson, another of the three Swedes who have been dominating the tour so far this year, was in a group at 70. Alfredsson already has won twice this year and is second on the money list behind Neumann.

Also at 2-under were Dawn Coe-Jones, Helen Dobson and Jane Crafter.

Nancy Lopez, 3-under at the turn, had a pair of bogeys and the rest pars on the back nine to finish at 71. Karrie Webb of Australia, who missed the cut last week in Arizona, also had a 71.

Day leads TPC

Just when it looked like Glen Day would merely be another one of the mass of 43 people to break par in the first round of The Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., he finished with a flourish to be alone atop the leaderboard.

Day holed a 7-iron from 180 yards for the only eagle on the 18th hole at the Stadium Course in the history of The Players Championship and shot a 66 for the first-round lead by one stroke over Fred Couples and Rocco Mediate.

Couples posted a 67 early and it held up before Day put together a stretch during which he chipped in for a birdie on No. 15, made another birdie on the island-green 17th hole and then closed with another 2 on No. 18.

Martin to attempt U.S. Open

Casey Martin, who sued the PGA Tour to gain use of a cart to accommodate his birth defect, will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open at the sectional qualifier in Cincinnati on June 8.