Golf: Matthew six off the pace

NORTH BERWICK'S Catriona Matthew carded a one-over-par 73 to lie six shots behind the lead of Mexico's Lorena Ochoa at the first women's golf major of the year in California.

Fellow Brit and Solheim Cup player Becky Brewerton had a strong start at the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. The Welsh golfer scored an opening-round, four-birdie, one-bogey 69 to leave her in a tie for third place, two shots behind Norway's Suzann Pettersen and one behind world No.1 Ochoa.

Pettersen was bogey free for her opening 67 while Ochoa's 68 featured six birdies and two bogeys.

Brewerton shares third place with six other women, including LPGA hall of famer Karrie Webb of Australia and England's Karen Stupples, who also carded four birdies and one bogey for her 69.

Defending champion Brittany Lincicome of the USA is in a group a further shot off the pace on two under par that also includes Sweden's Sophie Gustafson and Karine Icher of France.