Choi grabs 2-shot lead at LPGA Kia Classic

Chella Choi fired a 7-under-par 65 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead over Stephanie Meadow after the first round of the LPGA Kia Classic in Carlsbad, Calif.

Choi, of South Korea, who has one tour win -- a playoff over countrywoman Jang Ha-Na in the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio, in 2015 -- closed with consecutive birdies on Nos. 16-18. She finished with seven birdies and 11 pars, hitting 13 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens.

Meadow, of the United Kingdom, also played bogey-free in shooting a 5-under 67 at Aviara Golf Club. She also hit 13 of 14 fairways but managed only 15 of 18 greens in making five birdies and 11 pars.

Fifteen golfers were another shot back at 4-under 68. Among them was American Ryann O'Toole, who bogeyed her final hole of the day, No. 9, to drop out of a tie with Meadow.

Also in the group at 68 was Inbee Park of South Korea, whose uneven round included six birdies in her first 14 holes, followed by consecutive bogeys on 15 and 16.

Sarah Schmelzel of the U.S. and Jin Young Ko of South Korea, who is second on the tour's money list at $450,159, managed their 68s with four birdies and 14 pars.

Minjee Lee, of Australia, third on the money list at $317,861, also shot a 68, closing out her day on the back nine with a bogey at No. 9.

Defending champion Eun-Hee Ji, of South Korea, was among eight golfers at 3-under 69. Ji finished with seven birdies, four bogeys and seven pars.

--Field Level Media