Stacy Lewis determined to redeem herself in Reignwood LPGA Classic
Having failed to handle defeat with good grace last year, American makes great start in return
Make no mistake, Stacy Lewis has a score to settle this week. Pipped at the post by home favourite Feng Shanshan in last year's inaugural Reignwood LPGA Classic, the American has unfinished business to attend to at the Pine Valley Golf Club.
And the world number one could hardly have wished for a better start, a late birdie barrage putting her in pole position after the opening round of the US$2.1 million event.
"I just stayed patient all day and was rewarded by birdieing four of the last five," said Lewis, who signed for a flawless seven-under-par 66 to soar to the top of the leaderboard, one ahead of Swede Caroline Hedwall.
"I really wanted to put up a good number today going into the next few days where the weather might not be as good."
By her own admission, Lewis did not conduct herself appropriately following her dramatic last-hole loss to Feng 12 months ago when she took to Twitter to complain about frenzied fans.
"Last year didn't go the way I wanted to. I played some great golf. I probably didn't handle things the way I wanted to. That's why I'm back this year," she said.
"I kind of want to right the ship a little bit. I never back down from a challenge. More than anything, it's an opportunity to win. It's a golf I played really well on last year, and I feel like I'll have a good shot again this year."