Stupples makes strong start

Stupples had only one bogey

England's Karen Stupples carded a 67 to lie one shot behind leader Jennifer Rosales after the first round of the LPGA Championship in Delaware.

Rosales, from the Philippines, shot a five-under 66 at DuPont Country Club to set the pace in the second women's major of the year.

South Korea's Gloria Park and Japan's Chiharu Yamaguchi also shot 67s.

Defending champion Annika Sorenstam had a 68, with Scot Catriona Matthew the other Briton under par after a 70.

Rosales sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-four fourth hole and a six-footer at the par-five ninth.

She continued to take advantage of the par-fives with birdies from 10 feet at 11 and a two-putt birdie from 35 feet at 16.

"It's a pretty good start for me," said Rosales. "I think I've never led the first round. It's the first time I think in all the tournaments."

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD -5 Jennifer Rosales (Phi) -4 Gloria Park (Kor), Karen Stupples (GB), Chiharu Yamaguchi (Jpn) -3 Moira Dunn (US), Stephanie Louden (US), Grace Park (Kor), Annika Sorenstam (Swe)

Stupples won her first professional tournament, the Welch's/Fry's Championship, in Tucson in March and is lying 12th on the money list.

The pick of her birdies was a chip-in from 40 feet at the par-four seventh, while her only bogey came after a wayward second at the 18th.

"But I hit the ball well all day, maybe too well at times," she said.

"I love this course and it suits my game. It's a big course and demands a lot of concentration."

Matthew had a steady round with two birdies and just one bogey, at the final hole.

Sorenstam, who started at the 10th, birdied the final two holes to share fifth with South Korea's Grace Park and Americans Moira Dunn and Stephanie Louden.

The Swede hit a five iron to four feet at the 192-yard eighth and was on the green in two at the long ninth.

"It's always sweet to finish with a birdie," said the world number one, who has won three of her last seven tournaments.

"And I actually think that 68 is one of my better starts here. I'm very happy. I hit the ball well and putted really well with a few lip-outs."