Australia's Minjee Lee has taken a one-stroke lead at the Women's British Open after chalking up a seven-under par 65 in her opening round at Royal Lytham.
Lee sank a 25-foot eagle at the par-five 15th and followed up with a birdie from a similar distance at the next on her way to a seven-under-par 65 and a one-stroke lead over Japan's Mamiko Higa.
"I holed quite a lot of putts from far away," Lee said.
The 22-year-old from Perth has four LPGA titles and is coming off second place at the Ladies Scottish Open on Sunday.
The West Australian said her performance had given her the confidence to believe she can win a first major championship.
"I know I can play around a links course and handle those conditions so I'm in a good place," Lee said.
"I did hole quite a lot of putts from just inside 30 feet today.
"I don't think I holed any that were really short. I've been hitting it pretty solid and really happy with where I am right now."
A win on Sunday would make her only the third Australian woman to claim a major championship, after Karrie Webb (seven) and Jan Stephenson (three).
Japan Mamiko Higa was a shot behind Lee, while five players - Georgia Hall, Teresa Lu, Park Sung-hyun, Lee Mi-hyang and Pornanong Phatlum - were a further stroke adrift.
Higa, fourth on this year's Japan LPGA money list, would join an even more exclusive club.
Only one player from her nation has captured a major, Chako Higuchi at the 1977 Women's PGA Championship.
Meanwhile, world No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand eased into her week with a 71 that included a double-bogey.
American Michelle Wie withdrew after 12 holes, citing an ongoing hand/wrist injury. Wie was eight-over at the time.
"I have been doing everything humanly possible (besides giving it proper rest) this past couple of weeks to get my hand healthy enough to play this event," she said on social media.
"Unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
"I gave it my all today but I just couldn't handle the pain any longer. I'm devastated that I had to withdraw mid-round, but I felt that if I kept pushing through the pain, I would have injured my hand further."
