Ariya shares lead on home turf

BANGKOK — World No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn cruised to a shared lead in the first round of the Honda LPGA Thursday, eying a redemptive victory on her home turf. The smooth bogey-free 66 came fresh off the 21-year-old’s spectacular 2016 season, which saw her win five LPGA tournaments and a Player of the Year award. It also sets the young player up for redemption on the course where she suffered a heartbreaking defeat in 2013 after losing her cool in the final round with three bogeys that forced her into second place. She shared the top of the leaderboard with the tournament’s 2015 winner Amy Yang, who dropped a shot on the 10th hole but bounced back with a string of birdies to card 66, six-under par. Ariya had six birdies while Yang, the 2015 champion, had seven birdies and a bogey at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course. Ryann O’Toole, Kim Sei-young, Minjee Lee and Shanshan Feng were a stroke behind the leaders. Top-ranked Lydia Ko (70) had five birdies and three bogeys, while former No. 1 Inbee Park shot a 72 in her first action since winning the Olympic gold medal last year. — Agencies