Top-ranked Lydia Ko began the new season with a three-under-par 69 on Wednesday in the Coates Golf Championship, leaving her four strokes behind leader Jang Ha Na.
The 18-year-old Ko closed with a birdie on the par-five 18th, her fourth birdie on the back nine on the Golden Ocala course that features some tributes to holes at Augusta National, St Andrews and others.
Kiwi Ko tied for second last year in Ocala to reach No. 1 in the world ranking, and went on to win five times and take the Race to the CME Globe and LPGA Tour's points-based player of the year award.
Na also birdied the 18th for a bogey-free 65 and a three-stroke lead over six players.
Winless on the LPGA Tour, the 23-year-old South Korean player also tied for second last year behind Choi Na Yeon.
Sarah Kemp is the best placed Australian, her two-over-par 74 leaving her in the bottom half of the field and battling to make the cut along with compatriots Sarah Jane Smith (75) and Minjee Lee (76).
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