Stephanie Meadow had five birdies in a row of the nine to go, signing a 63 (-8) card in hot and humid conditions Thursday to take the lead in the first round of the VOA Classic (Volunteers of America Classic) on the LPGA Tower.

VOA Classic: Stephanie Meadow at the head, the tricolors out of the cut

Stephanie Meadow - © LPGA

Looking for her first LPGA Tour victory, the 27-year-old former University of Alabama player from Northern Ireland started the birdie race on the 2nd par-5 hole and the fenced on the 6th par-5 at the Old American Golf Club in 32 degree heat.

"I made three birdies in a row over an average length, then I made two very good shots on the next two holes"said Meadow. “So a little putting and a little really good hitting the ball. But it's been a while since I've gotten in five in a row, which is funny. You don't want to stop after three hours, you want to continue. "

Meadow also birdied on the 13th par-5, 15th par-4 and 16th par-3 in the heart of a buggy-free lap.

"The year has been quite difficult, but I have played well the last few months, so I feel like I can have a good week"said Meadow. " I have nothing to lose. I'm going to go there, make some smart choices. I'm not going to be stupid and aggressive, but I'm going to give myself some opportunities. I believe in myself and we'll see what happens. "

Dori Carter and Amy Olson are tied for second with a score of 65.

Carter birdied the first four holes of the back nine, then bounced back from a double bogey on the 15 with birdies on the 16 and 17 par-4 late in the afternoon. The 32-year-old former University of Mississippi player is also winless on the Tour.

Olson made seven birdies against a bogey in the morning session. It does not have the wind in its sails on the circuit.

"I didn't really get into trouble and my little game worked"said Olson. “These greens can be a little hard because sometimes the grain doesn't match the slope perfectly, so trying to read them can be a bit difficult. "

Cheyenne Knight, Ruixin Liu and Moriya Jutanugarn achieved a score of 66. Inbee Park, defending champion in 2013 and 2015 at Las Colinas Country Club, is tied one stroke behind with Jeongeun Lee6, champion of the US Women's Open, Brittany Altomare, Jaye Marie Green, Katherine Perry, Kristen Gillman and Gaby Lopez. Park overcame two bogeys early in the game.

"It was hot today"said Park. “I started off a bit badly today, but I managed to come back really strong, so I'm really happy with that. I did very well with my little game. "

Home-playing Mi Jung Hur, who won the Indy Women in Tech last week, opened with a 68 card. Angela Stanford, the 41-year-old from Fort Worth, who has six wins on the tour of the LPGA, is tied at 68. Defending champion Sung Hyun Park had a score of 69.

On the French side, Karine Icher, Céline Boutier and Céline Herbin ranked respectively T87 (73, +2) and T99 (74, +3). They are found outside the cut line projected at 72 (+1).