Elizabeth Szokol shot an 8-under-64 on Thursday for a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Women’s World Championship at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

The 28-year-old American was three shots ahead of Yuka Saso and four clear of a pack of six others, including Nelly Korder, at 4 under.

Szokol shot a 6-under 30 on the front nine, including four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth. Her only bogey of the day came on the 10th hole but she birdied 14, 16 and 18 to keep her on pace for her 64.

Szokol is returning from a back injury — a herniated disk — and said she took advantage of the soft conditions on the damp course.

“This is my first time playing here,” Szokol said. “And people had said usually it’s a bit firmer. But the rain definitely softened it up. So I could be a little bit more aggressive with some pins today.”

Saso won the 2021 U.S. Open as a teenager but has not won any titles since.

“Well, winning here on the LPGA is not easy,” she said. “So you just have to keep grinding and keep working and give yourself a chance.”

No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko and No. 4 Atthaya Thitikul both shot 70 and No. 3 Minjee Lee had a 72. Nelly Korda’s sister Jessica Korda shot 76 and Brooke Henderson, who won the season-opening Tournament of Champions in January, had a 78.

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