On the verge of a major career change, LPGA Tour stalwart Sarah Jane Smith has wound back the clock to be right in contention after the opening round of the women's Vic Open.
The fast-starting Smith was six under the card after nine holes on the Creek Course at Thirteenth Beach on Thursday.
A bogey on the final hole meant she signed for a five-under 68 to be two shots adrift of fellow Australian Karis Davidson at the conclusion of day one.
Smith has made her living on the LPGA Tour for the past two decades, where she recorded two runners-up finishes and was fifth at the 2018 US Women's Open.
But the 39-year-old is stepping away from life as a full-time touring pro in 2024.
Instead, Smith, her husband Duane and four-year-old son Theo will take over as the host family at the Australian Golf House in Orlando.
Down the years, it has served as a home away from home for a plethora of young Australians finding their feet in the US, including Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee, Minjee Lee and Hannah Green.
"Sometimes you under-value yourself and think that you just play golf," Smith, who still intends to play intermittently on the LPGA Tour, told AAP.
"But we have been doing this for 20 years now.
"It's everything from the planning, what you learn on and off the golf course.
"Hopefully we'll be able to help some kids along the way."
Among the next generation of Australian stars who will benefit from the Smith family's hospitality in 2024 will be Davidson, who retained her full LPGA card after a solid rookie season.
"It will be nice to stay with an Australian family, as it was with (previous hosts Luke and Lauren Mackey)," said the 25-year-old.
"The Smiths are quite an upbeat couple.
"If we're tired from touring they will be really good to chat to about it.
"They know exactly what tour life is like, so they'll be able to share their wisdom."
Davidson topped the leaderboard at seven-under, one shot ahead of fellow Australian Kelsey Bennett, with Smith a shot further behind with countrywoman Jeongmin Cho and Malaysian Ashley Lau.
The Queenslander could already have headed overseas for the first events of the LPGA season, but chose instead to spend more time on home soil preparing for a big year ahead.
"It is a lot of time away," Davidson said.
"This event is a really nice one for me to keep coming back to."
Former world No.1 Jiyai Shin from South Korea (two-under 71) made a solid start to her Vic Open defence, while Australian legend Karrie Webb carded a 75.
The seven-time major winner only played two tournaments last year. This is her first start of 2024.
