Strong start for Thompson

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France - Lexi Thompson picked up 5 shots in four holes in a 5-under 66 Thursday to claim a share of the lead with Mi Hyang Lee in the opening round of the Evian Championship.

The American made a superb start to the final major of the season at the picturesque resort above Lake Geneva, then managed to stay bogey-free.

Thompson, who was given an early morning start on the back nine in perfect weather conditions, was the sole leader for most of the day until Lee made up for two bogeys with seven birdies to tie for first place.

Thompson's stunning run began when she birdied the 12th hole. Paired with Sandra Gal and former Evian champion Paula Creamer, she hit a 7-iron to 20 feet and sank an eagle putt on the 13th, and birdied Nos. 14 and 15.

Her day was capped by a remarkable bunker shot on her final hole.

"Ended up trying to go for the green, came up short in a bunker that was about 40 yards away, and chipped it short and had about 15-footer for par," she said.

She and the up-and-coming South Korean Lee had a 1-shot lead over former U.S. Open champion Eun-Hee Ji, Gerina Piller of the United States, and Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand.

The 20-year-old Thomson has won a major before, the Kraft Nabisco last year, but she went through a one-year drought before winning the Meijer Classic in July. She has three top-10 finishes in her last five starts.

Looking to complete a career Grand Slam, top-ranked Inbee Park could not find the accuracy that characterized her recent majors, and had to be content with an opening round of 1-over par.

Paired with No. 2 Lydia Ko and No. 3 Stacy Lewis, Park bogeyed four holes to finish the day a shot ahead of Lewis, who carded a 2-over 73. Ko was the best of the elite trio, shooting a 2-under 69.