Canada's Henderson, Sharp start strong at Portland Classic

Ayako Uehara found momentum from par saves on her opening two holes and turned that into a 7-under 65 for a one-shot lead Thursday in the AmazingCre Portland Classic.

Hannah Green had a 66 despite a bogey on her final hole at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, with Nelly Korda in the group another shot behind entering the second round in Portland, Ore.

Joining her at 67 were former Women's British Open champion Hinako Shibuno and Caroline Inglis.

In a year in which the LPGA Tour already has had eight first-time winners, Uehara would be a surprise. The 38-year-old from has been on tour for a decade, and her only three victories came on the Japan LPGA.

Add that to Uehara missing so much of the year with a lung condition that made it difficult to breathe. She was treated and declared fully healthy, but not until she missed six months, returning two weeks ago at the Dana Open in Ohio.

"This is my third tournament. I think I'm very excited about it and then glad to be out here," Uehara said.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Alena Sharp of Hamilton, Ont., both shot 4-under 68. London, Ont., native Maddie Szeryk shot 1-over 73 on the day.

WATCH | Canadians Henderson, Sharp off to hot start in Portland:

Uehara saved par twice to start the round, and then made five birdies over the next seven holes. After her lone bogey on the par-3 13th, Uehara birdied three of the last four holes to grab the lead.

Korda, the No. 2 player in the women's world ranking, had a colorful front nine of only two pars. She followed a birdie with a double bogey on the par-4 sixth hole, and then responded with an eagle-birdie-birdie finish.

Korda is still looking for her first LPGA win of the year. She missed four months early in the year because