Katherine Kirk will take a two-shot lead into Friday's second round of the Australian Open at Royal Adelaide.
The 34-year-old shot a flawless eight-under 65 on Thursday, raising her hopes of achieving what would be a career-highlight.
"It would be my best win ever, really," Kirk said.
"As a kid you dream about winning your own national championship, I would probably be bawling my eyes out."
Chasing Kirk are a batch at six-under - Taiwan's Min Lee, Korean Chella Choi and American duo Marissa Steen and Jane Park.
Scotland's Michele Thomson and Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum are five-under with Australian Hannah Green among eight a further shot back.
World No.1 Lydia Ko posted an opening-round two-under but Australian veteran Karrie Webb struggled to three-over.
"I just didn't swing it very well early on and, the further I went along, the worse it got," Webb said.
"And then I missed a few shorts putts. I had been feeling pretty good with the putter so that was a bit of a shock to the system."
Fellow Queenslander Kirk had no such worries, carding four birdies in her first five holes and then landing four more on the back nine.
"Lately I have probably struggled to put four good rounds together so that obviously is going to be the key this week, to get the next three under par," she said.
""I still feel like my best golf is ahead of me. I have just got to work a little harder.
"My ball striking is probably the best it has ever been. I have just got to get my short game back to where it was in previous years, it's not quite where I want it to be."
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