Ryu sets course record to take lead at CP Women's Open after one round

LONDON, Ont. - So Yeon Ryu set a new course record with a 9-under 63 to take the lead at the Canadian Pacific Women's Open through one round.

Ryu finished with nine birdies Thursday at the London Hunt and Country Club to take a one-stroke lead over fellow South Korean Na Yeon Choi, who chipped in three times during an impressive morning round.

Swede Anna Nordqvist, who was playing with Ryu in the afternoon, was alone in third at 7 under.

Inbee Park, coming off a victory in last week's LPGA Championship and dinner Wednesday night with Ryu, Choi and other South Korean teammates, was part of a group at 6 under along with Azahara Munoz, Danielle Kang and Xi Yu Lin.

Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., had the best score of the 15 Canadians in the field at 5 under.

Kirby played in a group with fellow Canadians Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., and Toronto's Rebecca Lee-Bentham, who each shot 2-under 70.

• 

  So Yeon Ryu, of South Korea, lines up her tee shot on the 11th hole at the Canadian Pacific Women's Open golf tournament in London, Ont., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014. (Dave Chidley / The Canadian Press)

• 

  Na Yeon Choi of South Korea putts on the 2nd hole at the CP Women's Open golf tournament in London, Ont., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014. (Dave Chidley / The Canadian Press)