Unfancied duo take lead at ShopRite LPGA Classic

Former US Women's Amateur champion Blumenherst and LPGA rookie Jutanugarn ended the opening day a shot ahead of defending champion Stacy Lewis.

Michelle Wie put her recent woes behind her to card a 68 - the Hawaiian's joint lowest score of what has been so far a frustrating season.

Blumenherst, a three-times US college player of the year, has never finished higher than fifth since joining the LPGA Tour in 2010.

"It feels amazing," she said, after an eagle, four birdies and a bogey. "It's been a while since I've had a very solid round of golf and felt like I just played well throughout the entire day. It was a lot of fun out there because it's been a challenging start to the season."

Thailand's Jutanugarn, 18, had an equally fast start at the testing Bay Course at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club with six birdies and a lone bogey.

Meanwhile, world number two Lewis, who has won twice already this season, lies ready to pounce a stroke back after three tap-in birdies.

"I guess you just get more confidence being there, you start trusting yourself more, but it's really cool to think how far I've come," said Lewis. "I wasn't even the top ranked American this time last year, and now I'm kind of going back and forth for No. 1 in the world.

"It's just nice to keep that consistency going. I've had a bunch of top 10s over the last year, and that's what I'm trying to do every week."

World number one Inbee Park was back at 74 in a group with Paula Creamer and Na Yeon Choi. Sweden's third-ranked Suzann Pettersen had a 76.