Meanwhile, Over in New Zealand on the LET/ALPG

Marianne Skarpnord got off to a hot start at the NZ Women's Open, firing a 29 on the front on the strength of 5 birdies and an eagle and holding on for a 65. LPGA vet Diana D'Alessio was only 2 shots back, however, after a 5-birdie, no-bogey performance. Ashleigh Simon, Kristie Smith, and Anna Oh are 3 back and Laura Davies, Sarah Kemp, and Dewi Claire Schreefel are only 4 back, which means that 6 of the top 8 have a direct connection to the LPGA. A little lower down the leaderboard are present and former and almost LPGAers Azahara Munoz, Sophie Giquel, and Sarah Oh at 71, Katie Futcher, Linda Wessberg, Nina Reis, Becky Brewerton, Alison Walshe, Taylor Leon, and Sarah-Jane Smith at 72, Gwladys Nocera, Tani Elosegui, Mina Harigae, Pernilla Lindberg, Iben Tinning, Wendy Doolan, and Becky Morgan at 73, and Louise Stahle and Misun Cho at 74.