Morgan Pressel cards a 66 to take the first round lead @ the Evian Masters

Morgan Pressel cards a 66 to take the first round lead @ the Evian Masters

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) -- Morgan Pressel of the United States birdied the first three holes and finished with a 6-under 66 Thursday to lead after the first round of the Evian Masters.

Melissa Reid of England and Sun-Ju Ahn of South Korea each birdied the last hole to join her in the lead.

Pressel started on the back nine and her birdie streak ended with a bogey on No. 13.

"It was a very solid day," Pressel said. "The only fairway I missed was on the last hole, and it was because it kind of got a weird bounce. I hit 15 greens. I felt like I was striking the ball well and gave myself a lot of chances."

Reid finished with eight birdies and two bogeys on a cool and rainy day.

The 22-year-old Reid won her first pro title in May at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open. She's aiming for another strong showing against a tougher field at the Evian Masters.

"You play an event like this and you see how you compare against the big girls," she said. "So it was quite nice to shoot 66 today. I proved to myself that I can do it."

Song-Hee Kim and M.J. Hur of South Korea were a stroke behind the leaders.

Michelle Wie was tied for sixth after a 68. Defending champion Ai Miyazato of Japan was three shots behind the leaders after a 69, along with Suzann Pettersen and Angela Stanford.

Wie played a day after cutting short her pro-am round because of heat exhaustion. Wie said she was pleased with her round, even though she felt "a little tired."

Brittany Lincicome shot a 70, while Helen Alfredsson, Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster finished at 71. Laura Davies had an 81.