Thanks to a late string of four birdies, Haeran Ryu of South Korea seized the first-round lead at The Annika on Thursday at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla.

Ryu posted a 6-under-par 64 to start the tournament one stroke ahead of Australia's Grace Kim. Jennifer Kupcho (4-under 66) is alone in third place.

Another stroke back at 3-under 67 are some big names: Charley Hull of England, Leona Maguire of Ireland, Somi Lee of South Korea and Mao Saigo of Japan.

Ryu may have surprised herself a bit with her low score.

"To be honest, I don't like Florida because my score is not good at this city, but every year I just hope that I play well in this course and for that, and I'm so happy -- yeah, that's why I'm so happy to I get 64 today," Ryu said.

Ryu's three LPGA Tour titles have come acros

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