CORNING, N.Y — After spraying balls all around the driving range prior to the opening round of the LPGA's final Corning Classic yesterday morning, Hee Young Park matched her career low with an 8-under 64 for a share of the lead with Karine Icher of France, who also tied her best round.

Tied one shot back were Minea Blomqvist of Finland, Sandra Gal of Germany, and South Koreans Sarah Lee, Soo-Yun Kang, and Hee-Won Han as nearly half of the extended field of 147 that started broke par at the 6,223-yard Corning Country Club.

Michelle Wie, a Punahou alum and Stanford sophomore, was not among them. The LPGA rookie made three birdies and four bogeys, and was tied for 103rd with a 1-over 73.

ELSEWHERE

Rookie tied for Nelson lead: PGA Tour rookie James Nitties finished with four consecutive birdies for a 5-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Ken Duke yesterday in the HP Byron Nelson Championship at Irvine, Texas.

Nitties, a 26-year-old Australian, appeared on the Golf Channel's "Big Break" series and finished second at the PGA Tour qualifying tournament. Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, opened with a 73.

Hoch, Purtzer tied in Seniors: Scott Hoch bogeyed the final two holes for a 4-under 66 and share of the first-round lead with Tom Purtzer in the 70th Senior PGA Championship at the Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio, the first seniors major of the year.

Three share BMW lead: England's David Horsey and Anthony Wall, and Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano shot 5-under 67s to share the lead in the BMW PGA Championship at historic Wentworth golf course in Virginia Water, England.