AMERICAN Brooke Pancake set a blistering early pace at the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic this morning at the Ocean Club, Paradise Island, with an opening round of 67, six under par.

Out at 7.20am and starting at the 10th hole the 24-year-old Pancake birdied six of her first seven holes to make the most of the calm conditions, which saw plenty of low scoring from some of the top women golfers.

Pancake, who did not drop a shot in her round, took the early lead from fellow Americans Brittany Linnicome and Natalie Gulbis and former world No.1 Inbee Park, of South Korea, by a stroke after they carded 68s. Azahara Munoz, of Spain, Ariya Jutanugarn, of Thailand, and Gerina Pillar, of the US, also started well, with rounds of 69.

Bahamian Raquel Riley made a steady start, dropping two strokes over her first five holes before heavy rain and high winds forced a suspension of play at 2.45pm. Play was called off for the day at 4pm and 60 players will return at 8am tomorrow to complete their first rounds.

• Full report in tomorrow's Tribune.