Evian Championship 2015: World No. 1 Inbee Park makes stuttering start

Editor’s Note: Join CNN at The Clubhouse Thursday for all the first day’s action from the 2015 Evian Championship.

South Korea’s golfing sensation Inbee Park is normally the model of consistency but the world No. 1 was unusually erratic in the opening round of the Evian Championship on Thursday.

Amid the picture-postcard setting of France’s Evian Resort Golf Club, Park hit four bogeys and three birdies to leave her six shots adrift of the first-round leaders, Lexi Thompson and South Korea’s My Hyang Lee.

The 27-year-old Park has won six of the last 14 majors – most recently the British Open at Turnberry in August – and has been so dominant that few would have bet against taking the fifth and final major of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) season.

CNN's Tom McGowan and Lauren Moorhouse are live-blogging from the picturesque course.

Park won the tournament back in 2012, a year before it was elevated to “major” status but may struggle to repeat the feat after making a stuttering start hitting a one-over par round of 72 to leave her in a tie for 40th.

America’s Thompson, on the other hand, had a faultless round, racing to five-under after six holes, including an eagle at the par five 13th — her 4th hole after teeing off at the 10th — before parring the final 12 holes.

“Overall it was a very steady day — I had a good stretch on the first nine with a few birdies and an eagle so that always helps out with the scorecard,” Thompson told CNN’s The Clubhouse after her round.

“It was great conditions out there, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Lee joined Thompson with the final shot of her round, holing out for a birdie at the ninth (her 18th hole), putting the Korean on course for her best finish at the championship – her previous best is tied 19th in 2013.

One shot further back are a group of six players which includes China’s Shanshan Feng – winner of the 2012 PGA Championship – and America’s Beth Allen.

New Zealand teenager Lydia Ko, who finished runner-up to Norway’s Suzann Pettersen two years ago, is sitting on two-under par after 18 holes.

Michelle Wie will do well to improve on her best finish of 37th after slumping to a four-over par 75 on day one.

The American, who broke her major duck last year when she won the U.S. Women’s Open, is currently in a tie for 80th.

Read: When is a grand slam not a grand slam?

Inbee Park —

The current world No. 1 and seven-time major champion is the woman to beat at the Evian Championship. The South Korean has won two majors this season, including the British Open last month.

Lydia Ko —

Lydia Ko is yet to win a major title but finished second to Park at the British Open. Still just 18, she remains the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour, taking the Canadian Open title aged 15.

Stacy Lewis —

American Stacy Lewis is ranked third in the world and is a two-time major champion. She's the highest ranked of the 20 Solheim Cup players who will be featuring in France ahead of the team showdown between the United States and Europe on September 18.

So Yeon Ryu —

South Korea's 2011 U.S. Open champion So Yeon Ryu is ranked fourth in the world and was rookie of the year in 2012.

Hyo-Joo Kim —

World No. 5 Hyo-Joo Kim is the defending champion after beating veteran Australia Karrie Webb to the title last year. The 20-year-old South Korean will have to be at her best to retain her crown.

Suzann Pettersen —

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen won the 2013 Evian Championship -- the first year it had been elevated to major status. A veteran of seven Solheim Cup campaigns, the 34-year-old is ranked sixth in the world.

Lexi Thompson —

American Lexi Thompson is a definite contender to win her second major in France. A golfing prodigy, she qualified for the U.S. Open at just 12 and turned pro at 15.

Shanshan Feng —

China's Shanshan Feng won the PGA Championship in 2012, becoming the first Chinese woman to secure a major title. She is currently world No. 8.

In Gee Chun —

In Gee Chun's big breakthrough came at this year's U.S. Open. The South Korean won by one shot from compatriot Amy Yang and Stacy Lewis.

Anna Nordqvist —

Sweden's Anna Nordqvist won her sole major at the 2009 PGA Championship. She has seven titles to her name across the LPGA and European Tours. She is ranked 10th in the world.

Evian Championships: The contenders

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