Katherine Kirk and Karrie Webb made it through to the week-end at the first major of the year, the ANA Inspirational being played at Mission Hills Country Club at Rancho Mirage in California.

Kirk fought back well with a two-under-par 70  on Friday to go with her opening round of 74.  She is at two-over-par and tied for 55^th place.  One of the players at two-over with Kirk, is fellow Queenslander, Webb.  Webb birdied the par 5 18^th to sign for an even-par round of 72.

Leading the first major of the year is South Korean Sei Young Kim, who will take a two shot lead into the week-end at the ANA inspiration.  

Kim fired a seven-under-par 65 to be at seven-under-par and two clear of first round leader, American Morgan Pressel, who carded an even par round of 72 on the Dinah Shore course at Mission Hills.  Former ANA champion Brittany Lincicome is lurking at four-under-par with South Korean Jenny Shin and Scot Catriona Matthew.

Kim started the day at even par and got off to a great start with four birdies in her opening nine holes, 2^nd, 4^th, 8^th and 9^th holes.  She went out in 32, another two birdies on the 11^th and 15^th saw her at six under for the round.  However her only blemished occurred at the par 4 16^th,  where she took a bogey.  The South Korean finished off her round in style with an eagle at the par 5 18^th.

Another seven players are at three-under-par and share sixth position, including defending champion Lexi Thompson, China’s Shanshan Feng and South Korean So Yeon Ryu.

The cut was made at three-over-par and 73 players will be vying for their share of the US2.5m purse.  Unfortunately Minjee Lee missed by one shot.  Sarah Jane Smith finished at five-over-par.