Alcott’s 67 Leads Pearson by Stroke

BOCA RATON, Fla. —  Amy Alcott, putting the final touches on a five-under-par 67, birdied the last two holes Thursday to ease past Becky Pearson and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA’s $200,000 Mazda tournament.

Alcott, a 26-time winner who has earned more than $1.8 million during her career, sank putts of 20 feet on the eighth and ninth holes to finish the opening day of the tour’s 38th season with seven birdies and two bogeys.

Pearson shot a bogey-free 68 on the 6,472-yard Stonebridge Golf and Country Club course.

Betsy King, Sherri Turner and Lauri Peterson were next with 70s. Tammie Green and Sally Little were at 71 and were the only other golfers in the field of 144 to break par.

Pat Bradley, the 1986 Player of the Year, had a 72 and Nancy Lopez shot a five-over-par 77.