South Korean teenager Oh Ji-young upstaged the game's biggest names to grab an early two-shot lead in the US Women's Open first round on Thursday. In mainly overcast conditions at Interlachen Country Club, the 19-year-old delivered a master-class on approach play to shoot a six-under-par 67. Swede Louise Friberg and Colombian amateur Maria Jose Uribe carded 69s, one ahead of Britons Laura Davies and Catriona Matthew and Sweden's Helen Alfredsson. World number one Lorena Ochoa, seeking her third major victory in four starts, opened with a 73 but American teenager Michelle Wie slumped to an 81. Oh, who missed the cut on her US Women's Open debut last year, piled up seven birdies and one bogey in calm weather, signing off with a six-footer to birdie her final hole. US Amateur champion Uribe was also delighted with her round in the third women's major of the year. Uribe relished playing in a high-profile group with Mexican Ochoa and champion Cristie Kerr (72). “I love the crowd and I love to have people giving me energy,” she said. Ochoa was satisfied with her level-par start. “We all know anything around par for the US Open is always good,” the 26-year-old said. Three-time champion Annika Sorenstam, making her swansong appearance at the tournament, was among the late starters. Larrazabal in front In France, European Tour rookie Pablo Larrazabal stepped out of older brother Alejandro's shadow on Thursday to take the French Open first-round lead with a six-under-par 65. The 25-year-old Spaniard was a stroke ahead of teenage Briton Oliver Fisher and Spanish Open champion Peter Lawrie of Ireland. Argentine Angel Cabrera, the 2007 US Open winner, was a further shot back on 67 after bogeying his final hole. Five years ago Pablo, who worked on his father's fish farm before turning professional, caddied for Alejandro in the US Masters. But while Alejandro, who won the 2002 British Amateur title, does not have a European Tour card and now plays on the Spanish PGA circuit, Pablo is chasing one of the biggest first prizes of the season (666,660 euros). It is the second time this season Larrazabal, who was second at the Joburg Open for two rounds, has contended but the first occasion the Spaniard, lying 128th on the money list, has hit the front. – Agencies __
