Kraft Nabisco Championship: Mika Miyazato starting fast

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Japan’s Mika Miyazato, who is working hard to raise money through her position as a pro golfer to help rebuild her country after this month’s devastating earthquake, tsunami and resulting nuclear crisis, may have a television platform for the design she wears on her cap stating that Japan will rebuild.

Miyazato birdied her first three holes Thursday in the first round of this season’s first major LPGA competition, the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club. Miyazato has a one-shot lead over seven players who are at two under par including Diamond Bar’s Mindy Kim and Marcy Hart, a 33-year-old with a 6-month-old daughter who only qualified for this event last week by finishing as one of the 10 lowest scorers at the Kia Classic who hadn’t already earned entry in Kraft Nabisco. This is Hart’s second appearance here. In her first time here, she missed the cut. Kim also qualified through her performance last week.

Defending champion Yani Tseng, ranked No. 1 in the world, is also at two-under (through four holes).

Cristie Kerr, the top-ranked American in the world, is tied for 37th at one-over.

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-- Diane Pucin