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Lydia Ko opens CME Group Tour Champ. by hitting tree, but leads after Day 1

NAPLES, Fla. — Lydia Ko began her quest for the largest prize in women’s golf history by hitting a tree and making bogey on a par 5. The rest of Thursday in the CME Group Tour Championship couldn’t have gone better.

Ko responded with eight birdies, including four in a row late in the round at Tiburon Golf Club, that sent her to a 7-under 65 and a one-shot lead in the LPGA Tour season finale.

So much is at stake this week, even beyond the $2 million prize to the winner.

Ko has a one-point lead in the race for LPGA Tour player of the year.