Lytham St. Annes, England ? It’s been Annika Sorenstam’s year. It’s always Karrie Webb’s British Open.

Webb, the defending champion and a three-time winner of the Open, shot a 5-under 67 Thursday and shared the first-round lead with Wendy Ward.

One stroke behind was Sorenstam, the world’s No. 1 golfer who has already won a major this year and became a fan favorite when she played in a PGA Tour event in May.

Among the players at 69 were Se Ri Pak, winner of four majors including the Women’s British Open in 2001, Lorie Kane, Shani Waugh and Jennifer Rosales, who tied for fourth last year.

Webb hasn’t won since last year’s British Open.

“I just looked where I needed to hit it and for the most part hit it there,” said Webb, who played the par-5s in 5 under.

Webb, who won the tournament at Woburn in her rookie season in 1995 and also at Sunningdale two years later, made eagle at the par-5, 455-yard 15th. She hit 3-wood within 25 feet and made the putt.

She holed a 40-foot putt at 17 for her fifth birdie.

Sorenstam produced the form that has made her the most consistent player in women’s golf.

She bogeyed No. 3, but collected six birdies, including a 32-foot putt at 17, and took advantage of surprisingly calm conditions on a Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club course which is often battered by winds coming off the Irish Sea.

“I’m putting as good as I ever have,” she said. “I hit 15 greens, drove very well and putted well so I’m very happy. I thought I was very patient and felt very calm.”