Stacy Lewis leads by 1 in LPGA’s Malaysian event

KUALA LUMPUR (AP) ― No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis of the United States shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, the second event of the tour’s six-tournament Asian swing.

Lewis birdied the par-5 16th hole to break away from a tight leaderboard at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Tied for second with 66s were the South Korean quartet of Choi Na-yeon, Park Hee-young, Ji Eun-hee and Ryu So-yeon.

Amy Yang of South Korea and China’s Shanshan Feng were among a group tied for sixth after 67s.

Natalie Gulbis shot 69, Karrie Webb 70 while American Lexi Thompson ― who won by four strokes here last year ― shot 71. Paula Creamer had a 75.