Delasin opens title defense with three-under 69

Although Se Ri Pak is at it again, Dorothy Delasin put herself in a good position at the start of her defense of the LPGA Giant Eagle Classic crown as she fired a three-under par 69 Friday (Saturday in Manila) to trail the Korean ace and two others by just two strokes.

"I’m happy with my game and hope to keep up the momentum," said Delasin, whose victory over Pat Hurst on the second playoff hole last year made her the LPGA’s youngest winner in 25 years.

With a 35-34 card at the Squaw Creek Country Club in Vienna, Ohio, the 20-year-old Delasin bunched herself in a big group of three-under par scorers, including Tammie Green and Janice Moodie, for a share of seventh place.

They stood two shots behind Pak, Marnie McGuire of New Zealand and American Maggie Will, who all fired 67s with the Korean gunning down five birdies, including a 20-footer on No. 6.

Other than Betsy King, Pak, winner here in 1998, is the only other player in the fold who has won on the tour this year. Only eight of the top 25 players on the money list are entered.