Stephanie Meadow opens with 72 at LA Championship

Stephanie Meadow shot an one-over par 72 at the opening round of the LA Championship in Los Angeles.

The first tournament after the opening major championship of the season has seen some big names opt out, including the top two ranked players in the world, Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu.

Vu didn't play in last week’s Chevron Championship either owing to a back complaint.

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The top ranked player in the field, world number 3 Celine Boutier of France is well placed to mount a challenge after a three-under par round of 68.

Meadow was among the early starters in California and it was steady rather than spectacular from the 32-year-old, a bogey at 10 the outlier in a scorecard otherwise full of pars.

With a number of players yet to complete their first rounds, the clubhouse lead was held by Australia’s Grace Kim on seven-under.

She didn’t drop a single shot and three pars on the front nine was bettered by four after the turn for 68.

Sweden's Maja Stark and Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand were a shot adrift on six-under.