LEONA MAGUIRE IS two under after day one at the Marathon LPGA Classic, but faces a tough task to climb up the leaderboard after a high-quality first day.
Maguire shot an opening round 69 at the Highlands Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio.
However Japan’s Nasa Hataoka set the early pace, shooting 10 birdies – including six in a row – to record a superb opening round of 61, leaving her four clear at the top of the leaderboard.
American Stephenson sits second, four shots off the lead, with a host more a further shot behind.
Maguire, who has been in strong form this season, hit three birdies and one bogey, but ended the day eight shots off the lead.