Steph Kyriacou has fired a one-under 71 to be three shots off the pace after the opening round of the LPGA's Women's World Championship in Singapore.
The 23-year-old Australian, tied for 10th, had a mixed bag on Thursday at Sentosa Golf Club.
She carded five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey on the par-three fourth.
Compatriots Hannah Green, Grace Kim and Minjee Lee all had 74s, while Sarah Kemp was one stroke further back at three-over.
Sarah Schmelzel is the early leader after making birdies on two of her final three holes for a four-under 68 to enjoy a one-stroke lead over three players, including fellow American Lilia Vu.
Also tied for second with Vu were Sweden's Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit of Germany.
South Korea's two-time defending champion Jin Young Ko shot a 71.
Patty Tavatanakit, who won last week's home event in Thailand, had a 74, and Canadian Brooke Henderson a 75.
Former world No.1 and two-time major winner Lee is playing for the first time this year on tour.
The prestigious $US1.8 million ($A2.75 million) LPGA event features an elite 66-player field, with no cut.
This is the second of three straight weeks in Asia. Next week the tour moves to China and the Blue Bay event on Hainan Island.
With AP.
