LPGA’s Walker Shoots 65 to Lead Men in Arizona

Colleen Walker struck a blow for the LPGA Thursday when she took the first-round lead in the $300,000 Spalding Invitational Pro-Am golf tournament.

In the field of six women and 84 men, Walker shot a seven-under-par 65 at the Renegade course, taking a two-shot lead over Gene Sauers and Al Geiberger.

Although the women play from shorter tees, they are hitting almost the same irons to the green as the men.

There are many top players from the PGA Tour in the field, including British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia, Johnny Miller and Craig Stadler. Other LPGA stars in the field include Amy Alcott, Jan Stephenson and Cindy Rarick.

Two years ago, Stephenson missed getting into a playoff when she bogeyed the final hole.

Sauers shot his 67 at the Desert Highlands course, also a par 72, while Geiberger of the Senior Tour shot a three-under 67 at the par-70 Boulders course in nearby Carefree.

Walker, the No. 7 money winner on the LPGA tour last season, played the back nine first and had five birdies, including four in a row beginning with the par-four, 13th hole. She then eagled No. 5 and finished her round without a bogey.

Dave Edwards and Howard Twitty are three shots off the pace, while three others are four shots back.