Australia's Minjee Lee is in a three-way tie at six-under-par after the first round of the LPGA event in Incheon, South Korea.
US Women's Open champion Park Sung-hyun closed with a pair of birdies to join Lee and Kim Min-sun on Thursday at the top of the leaderboard.
World No.2 Park, playing in the marquee group alongside top-ranked South Korean compatriot Ryu So-yeon and No.3 Lexi Thompson, carded six birdies in a bogey-free round at the SKY72 Golf and Resort, west of Seoul.
American Thompson ended the day three strokes back after a 69, while world No.1 Ryu had an even-par 72.
Lee offset two bogeys with eight birdies, while Korean Kim finished her round with five-straight birdies.
Park has enjoyed an incredible rookie season in the United States and leads Ryu and Thompson on the official money list with almost $US2 million ($A2.6 million) from 18 events.
Playing in the same group as her closest rivals did not faze her in the slightest, nor did the huge galleries following the trio despite the chilly weather.
"It is true that this morning was really cold. At one point, it did cross my mind that there may not be many spectators today. I was quite surprised when I reached the first hole and saw the size of the crowd," she said.
"I can't speak for the other players from abroad, but I've never felt that it's uncomfortable to have a larger crowd. I think the larger the cheering is more fun for me, so I had a really good time out there today."
Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, who beat Alison Lee in a sudden-death playoff to win last year's event, finished on even par with American Lee coming in at two over.
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