Shanshan Feng shares lead at Dubai Ladies Masters

• Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker share the lead after the first round in Dubai
• Feng won the LPGA Championship, the first player from mainland China to win a major
• Defending champ Lexi Thompson opened with a 69

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — American defending champion Lexi Thompson opened with a 3-under 69 Wednesday at the Dubai Ladies Masters, three shots off the leaders.

Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker both shot 66s after the first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters.

"I could have dropped a few more putts. I had a lot of lip-outs out there. But I'll take 3 under for a first round," said Thompson, who had two bogeys on her first four holes. "If I can stay around there and shoot a few more under than that, I'll be in a good position."

Shanshan, who became the first player from mainland China to win a major championship in June at the LPGA Championship, had six birdies at the Emirates Golf Club.

Parker moved into a tie for the lead with a birdie the par-5 18th.

Klara Spilkova, Sahra Hassan and Cindy Lacrosse were a stroke behind at the season-ending Ladies European Tour tournament.

Michelle Wie (70) is four shots behind after a round that included a double-bogey on the par-4 12th. Carlota Ciganda, who leads the Order of Merit, shot 70.