Sorenstam 3-over after 9 holes, may miss cut

"You can't really practice this format. It's once a year," said Sorenstam, who announced her plans to leave the game, start a family and tend to her business interests six months ago. "You just have to go out and play your best golf and see where you stand."

That's what Hull did Thursday.

One of the LPGA's hottest players over the last three months, Hull finished one shot better than Ji-Yai Shin and In-Kyung Kim. Three others - Ji Young Oh, Eun-Hee Ji and Na Yeon Choi - were two strokes back.

Oddly, little attention was paid to the top of the leaderboard.

Most of the star power was off the first page.

World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, the defending champion, was 6 over during one rough eight-hole stretch and finished tied for 26th after a 75.

"A few birdies will help," Ochoa said. "I can do that."

Not in the first 10 holes Friday, she didn't - Ochoa was even for the day and 3 over for the tournament, three shots off what was the projected cut line.

Cristie Kerr, last year's U.S. Women's Open champion and a member at Trump International, was tied for 29th - last - after shooting a first-round 78 and also seemed poised to miss the cut. Inbee Park, the reigning U.S. Open winner, withdrew after starting a whopping 13 over through 14 holes on Thursday.

After Thursday's play, Paula Creamer, who could catch Ochoa for the money title if she wins this week, was tied with Karen Stupples and Christina Kim for seventh place, three shots behind Hull. Seven players, including hometown favorite Morgan Pressel, were four shots back after the opening round.

Sorenstam, set to make her last start in three weeks in the Dubai Ladies Masters, said she wouldn't change her approach for the second round, even though she knew she had to scramble to make the weekend.

"You just have to be patient, just fairways and greens," Sorenstam said. "It's worked in the past for me."

Yes, but time was running out Friday.