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Japan’s Ayako Uehara fired a 7-under 65 to take a one-shot lead in the the AmazingCre Portland Classic.

The Japanese player is playing in her third start this year since returning from medical leave and shot her lowest round since 2019.

“I think I’m very excited about (returning) and then glad to be out here,” said Uehara. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow again.”

It rained for the first time since July last Sunday softening the course for the practice rounds and players had to adapt to the drier conditions on Thursday.

“I felt like they were definitely quicker than probably the practice greens. I guess as soon as you have a downhill putt you can’t be too aggressive, and some of the holes got a little bit firm and probably released a little bit more than what players would’ve expected,” said former champion Hannah Green of Australia, who sits in second place at 6-under after making eight birdies, the most in the field, and two bogeys.

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Japan’s Ayaka Furue and Hinako Shibuno both carded bogey-free 67s for a share of third place at 5-under alongside local Caroline Inglis.

Also tied in third place is America’s Nelly Korda, playing at Columbia Edgewater for the first time, who had a more “colorful” round on Thursay with an eagle at the par-5 7th, seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey at the par-4 6th.

“Kind of an up and down day, but ended on the good side. Overall I played some solid golf,” said Korda. “Maybe made a few stupid errors, but that’s golf. Mainly my missed drives. It’s so tree lined here. So many big, tall trees. But they’re very thick and they’re very high. So when you miss a fairway it’s hard to get through the trees.”

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