Dani Holmqvist leads in NJ, Stephanie Meadow faces battle to make cut

Dani Holmqvist of Sweden eagled the par-five third hole on her way to a bogey-free, seven-under-par 64 that put her in the lead after one round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic on Friday in New Jersey.

Holmqvist will head into the weekend one shot clear of China's Yan Liu and South Korea's Jenny Shin in the 54-hole event.

The 35-year-old has won tournaments in Sweden and Australia, but the veteran is now in position to contend for her first LPGA Tour title.

Stephanie Meadow is in a battle to make the cut after opening up with a three-over-par 74.

The County Down golfer failed to get any positive momentum going, with bogeys at the second, sixth, 11th and 16th being offset by a single birdie, at the par-five 18th.

Holmqvist's 64 was just her second sub-70 round all season. She played in just five events prior to this week and missed the cut at all five.

"It's just been a very slow start to the year," Holmqvist said of her schedule. "I'm personally a player that needs to play a lot of events that get going and kind of get into the groove, so I am looking forward to the stretch coming with more regular tournaments."

LEADERBOARD

Holmqvist began her day on the back nine at Seaview Golf Club's Bay Course and birdied 14, 16 and 17. The eagle came in the middle of her round, with her drive and a 4-iron approach taking her to about 15 feet for the putt. Birdies at the sixth and seventh gave her the solo lead.

Sarah Schmelzel, England's Georgia Hall, Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, South Africa's Paula Reto and Soo Bin Joo of South Korea were tied for fourth at five-under.

Defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada opened with a two-under 69.