Intro:

Stacy Lewis and Japan's Mika Miyazato are tied for the lead at 6-under after the opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic on Friday in New Jersey.

Script:

The ShopRite LPGA Classic began at the Bay Course at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, just a few miles from Atlantic City on Friday

Twenty-one of the top 25 players in the world rankings were in action.

Including Stacy Lewis who rolled in a putt for a birdie at the 8th. Lewis carded a 6-under 65 to grab a share of the lead heading into the weekend.

Japan's Mika Miyazato set up a birdie with her shot at 17 to reach 6-under where she would finish tied atop of the leaderboard with Lewis.

Paula Creamer had the shot of the day when her second shot from the middle of the fairway at 18 led to an eagle to reach 4-under.

Creamer and Colombia's Mariajo Uribe are tied for third, two strokes off the pace.

Meanwhile Canada's Maude-Aimee Leblanc is alone in fifth place at 3-under par.

And Spain's Azahara Munoz is tied with a host of players at 2-under 69.

Lexi Thompson birdied her final two holes to join Munoz, Christina Kim, Mo Martin, Anna Grzebien, and Swedes Anna Nordqvist and Karin Sjodin, two shots back.

Japan's Ai Miyazato is another stroke back at 1-under.

Top-ranked Yani Tseng of Taiwan had to settle for par after putting her approach shot within striking distance at the par four 13th. Tseng heads into the weekend, six shots behind the leaders.

Defending champion Brittany Lincicome will have her work cut out for her to defend her title after a round of 1-over 72.

After two straight bogeys and a double bogey to start the back nine, Norway's Suzann Pettersen was able to save par with her second shot out of the tall grass at 15.

But Michelle Wie suffered a brutal round of 7-over 78 that left her tied for 126th place.