Korea's Kim pacesetter at Aust Open golf

South Korean golfer SooBin Kim has shot a nine-under-par 63 to be the pacesetter in the opening round of the women's Australian Open in Adelaide.

Australia's Karrie Webb.

Karrie Webb says she isn't desiring the perfect round as she seeks a sixth Australian Open title. (AAP)

The rest of the golfing world might be, but South Korean SooBin Kim isn't surprised at setting a course record and a scorching early pace at the Women's Australian Open.

As Karrie Webb led the Australian challenge, Kim shot a first-round 63 on Thursday, a new course record at The Grange in Adelaide's west.

Webb posted a superb five-under-par 67 in some tricky late afternoon breeze, two shots fewer than compatriots Minjee Lee and Su Oh.

"We really only had to play in that gusty wind probably for the last four or five holes so, for an afternoon tee time, we probably got pretty lucky," Webb said.

"I played really nicely today and made the most of it."

World No.1 and defending champion Lydia Ko is among a host of players at two under after Kim launched an early blitz in the $1.83 million tournament.

The 22-year-old fired seven birdies in her initial 11 holes in a flawless nine-under round.

Ranked 256 in the world after making just seven cuts in 15 starts in her rookie season last year, Kim was playing her first tournament round this year - her lowly ranking failed to gain entrance to the initial two LPGA events.

Kim, who eclipsed the previous course record of 66 of Australian Nadina Taylor at an amateur event in 2000, had just 26 putts in what she described as "one of those days".

"I was just picking my line and rolling them in, let the ball do the rest," the 22-year-old said.

"I felt really confident ... I was pretty ready for it so (I am) not surprised."

American Casey Grice, at six under, is outright second with Webb a further shot back in a group of six golfers at five under.

Webb, seeking a sixth Australian Open title, made six birdies after fellow Australians Lee and Oh banked promising opening rounds in calm morning conditions.

Perth's Lee, entering the tournament as the highest-ranked Australian at No.17 in the world, recorded five birdies but also two bogeys.

"I didn't have any major blowout mistakes," Lee said.

Compatriot Oh, who was born in South Korea and moved to Australia as an eight-year-old, was also solid while top-ranked tournament favourite Ko was content with her two-under score.

"I'll take it," Ko said.

"Not many putts dropped ... they were hitting the edges (but) I think I was putting a good stroke on it and that's all you can do."


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Source: AAP



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