BELMONT, Mich. \u2013 Yan Liu of China shot a 6-under 66 in chilly and windy conditions Thursday morning to take the first-round lead in the Meijer LPGA Classic.<\/p>\n
Liu closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th at Blythefield Country Club. The 28-year-old player is winless on the LPGA Tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery happy I put myself on this position,\u201d Liu said. \u201cI think nothing to lose so I just do my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
American Jessica Porvasnik and Cassie Porter of Australia were a stroke back. <\/p>\n
\u201cWas definitely pretty windy, but kind of the wind direction I really liked out there,\u201d Porvasnik said. \u201cWest-northwest kind of suited my game well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jennifer Kupcho was at 68 with Youmin Hwang, Minji Kang, Nastasia Nadaud, Benedetta Moresco and Daniela Darquea.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo start it was really windy,” Kupcho said. \u201cHad kind of bit of a stomach ache, so a little bit rough start to the beginning of the round.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amateur star Kiara Romero shot a 72 playing on a sponsor exemption. She’s the No. 1 amateur in the world and was the low amateur at the U.S. Women\u2019s Open, where she tied for sixth.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Carlota Ciganda also opened with a 72.<\/p>\n
Two-time winner Brooke Henderson had a 73. Second-ranked Jeeno Thitikul shot 74.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n