Reunion, FL (AHN) - With the world's number one golfer, Annika Sorenstam, out for a month with a back injury, two of the best and most respected performers on the LPGA Tour, Lorena Ochoa and Laura Davies, tied for the lead, shooting twin six-under par 66s for a one-stroke lead over a group of other golfers.

Ochoa, currently the world's No. 2 ranked player, said she would prefer to be playing against Sorenstam and would prefer to earn the world's No. 1 ranking the old-fashioned way - by beating the best.

"I would love for her to be playing, yes," Ochoa said. "So I guess right now it's the way it is. But I think I better keep playing good and just take advantage of that. But I wish her all the best. Hopefully she will be (back soon)."

Ochoa navigated the 6,505-yard course near Orlando masterfully, hitting wonderful iron shots and playing the soft putting greens almost flawlessly.

"It feels better," Ochoa said of getting off to a good start in the tournament. "I don't feel in a rush that I need to just come (Friday) to go really low. ... It does make a big difference."

Davies, 43, is another golf legend in the mix. The 20-time tour winner, whose last victory came in 2001, made five birdies and an eagle on the way to her lowest round of the year.

Davies said she is finally seeing some results for all the hard work she's put in recently.

"I've played really well this year without too much success," said Davies, whose best finish in five events this year is a tie for 13th.

Up-and-coming golfer Brittany Lincicome, playing in the same group as Ochoa, was in the group of golfers just behind Ochoa and Davies at five under.

Morgan Pressel, the gifted youngster who became the youngest major champion in LPGA history with her victory at the Kraft this year, shot 75, nine strokes off the lead.

Hall of Famer, Nancy Lopez, who has won 48 tour events and is attempting a comeback after taking the majority of the last four years off, shot a dismal 11 over par to land herself in next to last place in the 143-woman field.

The 50-year-old Lopez played at par through nine holes, before collapsing on the back nine with three double-bogeys and five bogeys.

"It was all short game," said Lopez, who missed the cut in her only event last year. "I missed the greens and didn't get up and down, or even close. It was like stone hands for a little bit. That's been the best part of my game, so I was a little disappointed."

Ochoa is now set to take over the No. 1 spot that Sorenstam has held ever since the Rolex rankings were introduced in February 2006.

"She impresses me so much every time I play with her," Lincicome said of last year's player of the year. "Just how she controls the golf ball is so impressive to me. She has the cut, the fade, the slice, the hook, all the shots. It's phenomenal to watch."