RANCHO MIRAGE — Angela Stanford finished 2008 on an impressive streak, but like a slugger who suddenly finds a groove, she wasn't sure her home-run success would stick.

But Stanford was convinced after winning the SBS Open to start the season, and she boosted her confidence even more with a 5-under 67 to open the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Thursday, placing her one shot behind leader Brittany Lincicome.

“Sometimes you don't know if it's a streak in golf, or if it's your game that's really getting better,” Stanford said.

The 31-year-old Texan closed out 2008 with an impressive flourish. In her last six events, she won twice and never finished lower than sixth. Her superb play continued to start the season. Stanford beat Michelle Wie by three strokes to capture the SBS Open, followed by two top-10 finishes.

The results bolstered Stanford.

“The win in Hawaii made me feel me like, ‘OK, my game's getting better,'” Stanford said.

Stanford's improved play has given her more confidence entering this week as she searches for her first major title. Her best finish at the Kraft came in 2007 when she tied for 10th, and she tied for second at the 2003 U.S. Women's Open in an 18-hole playoff.

But with a more versatile repertoire of shots, Stanford is better armed to attack the Dinah Shore Tournament Course.

“I feel like I can spin the ball a little bit more, so the shots that this course calls for, I feel like I have the confidence to hit those shots,” Stanford said, “where in the past I didn't have maybe all the shots that I needed.”

Although her putting wasn't auspicious to start the first round, she picked it up at the end.

Starting her round at the 10th hole, she bogeyed the 11th, three-putting from the fringe from 15 feet.

“I think the speed of the greens caught me off-guard this morning,” Stanford said.

Stanford quickly adjusted on greens she called “pure,” making three of her four birdies from 25 feet or more and an eagle from 20 feet on the 18th hole.

“It you can get it on line, it's going to roll out, and I think you'll make more putts on greens like these than bumpier greens,” Stanford said.

With her skills expanding, the hottest player in the field is showing that she is becoming even more dangerous.

“It was a great streak, but my game is getting better and better,” Stanford said.