Golf: Ko will be content with opening round, says Sorenstam

Lydia Ko of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

Golfing legend Annika Sorenstam thinks Lydia Ko will be content with her opening round at the year's first major.

The teenager had missed a few chances to lower her score however she was well in the hunt for the ANA Inspiration title.

"It's a marathon not a 10kms run," she said.

Ko's game and course management was built for the pressure involved in majors and her opening two under par 70 was a solid foundation.

The teenager had made a great start to her professional career and her rise to No 1 had been rapid. She still plenty of improvement left in her game yet Sorenstam hoped she was careful about making too many changes to her swing.

The Mission Hills course suited the longer hitters in the past but they had grown the rough which meant accuracy was more of a premium for the tournament.

Japan's Ai Miyazato was the early tournament leader after shooting a five under par 67 around the testing layout. She was later joined on that mark by Spain's Azahara Munoz with two holes to play in her opening round.