India, May 9 -- Andrea Lee surprised even herself when she walked off the 18th green at Mountain Ridge with four birdies over her last five holes for a 6-under 66, giving her a one-shot lead over Jeeno Thitikul and Lydia Ko in the Mizuho Americas Open.

They were among only nine players to break 70 on Thursday on a course that put a premium on keeping the ball in play and being on the right side of the hole on contoured, slick greens.

"I really didn't see 6 under today to be honest, so I'm quite pleased by that," Lee said. "The game plan going into today was just staying really patient, trying to hit as many greens and fairways as possible, and just know that pars is good score and trying to minimize bogeys."

The tournament, which featu...