ANA Inspiration: Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg leads after opening round

Lindberg had two top-10 finishes in 2017

Sweden's Pernilla Lindberg holds a one-shot lead after the opening round of the ANA Inspiration - the first ladies' major of the year.

Lindberg did not drop a shot during her seven-under round of 65 at Mission Hills Country Club in California.

The world number 95's nearest challengers are Spain's Beatriz Recari and Japan's Ayako Uehara.

The leading Briton is Charley Hull, who is on three under thanks to five birdies in her opening nine holes.

Lindberg, who finished her round with a birdie at the 18th, has never won on her nine seasons on the LPGA Tour.

"I started off solidly and ended even better," she said. "The whole day was pretty steady. I was never in too much trouble.

"I was in the rough a few times and had to make a couple of good up-and-downs around the greens, but I never put myself under too much stress."

Out-of-form former world number one Lydia Ko tainted a better performance with a double bogey at the last.

The New Zealander was four under with a hole to play but her approach to the par-five 18th spun back into water around the green, leading to a seven and a two-under total.

England's Laura Davies, who retired after an opening 82 in the Kia Classic last week owing to an Achilles injury, signed for a nine-over-par 81.