In Gee Chun shot a 6-under 66 on Thursday in the Cambia Portland Classic to take a one-stroke lead over two-time defending champion Brooke Henderson and five others, as the Australians in the field struggled.
Playing the LPGA event for the first time, the sixth-ranked Chun had seven birdies and a bogey at tree-lined Columbia Edgewater.
The South Korean player tied for third last week in the Canadian Pacific Women's Open and has four runner-up finishes this season. Both of her LPGA Tour victories have come in majors - the 2015 US Women's Open and the 2016 Evian Championship.
Henderson had six birdies and a bogey to match Cheyenne Woods, Cindy LaCrosse, Moriya Jutanugarn, Nicole Broch Larsen and Nasa Hataoka at 67. Lexi Thompson had an eagle and a double bogey in a 68.
The best placed Australian is Sarah Jane Smith who shares 93rd place after an opening-round 73. Katherine Kirk, Su Oh and Sarah Kemp are all one shot further back and share 103rd place.
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