CAMBRIDGE, Ontario — Rookie Cheyenne Woods tied a course record with a 9-under 63 as she took the early lead at the Manulife LPGA Classic on Thursday.

The niece of PGA star Tiger Woods shares the record at Whistle Bear Golf Club with Matt Bettencourt and Jon Mills, who both shot 63 at the Canadian PGA Championship in 2005.

Woods birdied eight holes — including five of the last nine — and had an eagle and one bogey.

Laetitia Beck of Israel and Germany’s Sandra Gal were tied at 8-under 64.

South Korea’s Sei Young Kim and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist were another stroke back at 7-under 65.

Five players were tied at 6-under-par 66, including past tournament champion Brittany Lang.

Natalie Gleadall of Stratford, Ontario, was the top early Canadian finisher at 4-under par 68. She was one of two players who advanced to the Manulife Classic from the Monday qualifier.