Ayako Uehara shot a course record-tying and career-best nine-under-par 62 Friday, 24 June, to take the first round lead of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

Celebrating it's 10th year, the LPGA's Arkansas Championship teed off at the Pinnacle Country Club on Friday.

Top-ranked Lydia Ko played in the morning and opened the tournament with a five-under 66. The New Zealander, who eagled the par-five seventh with a 35-foot putt, is looking for her third victory of the year.

Ayako Uehara took advantage of the soft greens during the morning to match the course record of 62 set by Angela Park and Jane Park in 2008. The Japanese golfer entered the week ranked 214th in the world after struggling with her game for much of the year. Uehara needed only 25 putts and made nine birdies in her bogey-free round.

Taiwan's Candie Kung shot the second-best round of the day with a 64, and 13 players shot 65. Among them was Uehara's fellow countrywoman Ai Miyazato who made five birdies on her front nine, before adding a sixth at the 18th.

South Korea's Chella Choi rolled in her sixth birdie of the round on the par-three 17th to also come in with a 65.

Australia's Minjee Lee, playing alongside Ko and Stacy Lewis, made nine birdies but also had a bogey and a double to end the round at six under.

Germany's Sandra Gal was in the afternoon wave and also shot a 65, making four straight birdies around the turn before adding strokes at 15 and 17.

The defending champion of this tournament Na Yeon Choi had a rough opening round. The South Korean carded just two birdies and has six bogeys for a four-over 75.