Uehara credits Ko's coach for early ANA lead

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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – Ayako Uehara quickly climbed to the top of the leaderboard Thursday at the ANA Inspiration, and then afterward credited her coach for her elevating game.

That would be Ted Oh.

He’s also Lydia Ko’s new coach.

Uehara practically gave a testimonial to Oh’s skills after her round.

“Now I have confidence,” Uehara said.

Uehara opened with a 6-under-par 66, good for a one-shot lead through the morning wave. She’s looking to make her first LPGA victory a major championship.

It was an interesting day for Oh’s pupils. Ko was 4 under going to the 18th, just two shots behind Uehara, before closing with a double bogey. Ko hit her third shot from a fairway bunker into the…