REDMAN GETS TO CORE OF BIG APPLE CLASSIC.(SPORTS)

Byline: Associated Press

NEW ROCHELLE -- Michele Redman went on a birdie binge on Wykagyl Country Club's front nine -- the harder half of the course for almost everyone else Thursday -- and finished with a 7-under-par 64 to take the first-round lead at the JAL Big Apple Classic.

Redman, a non-winner in six years on the LPGA tour, led Karrie Webb, Cindy Schreyer and Helen Alfredsson by two strokes. Maggie Will-Helpin was another stroke back.

Redman's 64 was the best opening round in the history of the 8-year-old event and she just missed tying the tournament record of 63 set by Betsy King in 1990.

As good as she was, Redman said there was …