Australian teen star Minjee Lee fired an opening seven-under-par 65 but still trailed the leader by three shots at the LPGA Tour's Founders Cup.
The West Australian was flawless, producing seven birdies in her round to be tied fifth at the Desert Ridge course in Phoenix.
Lee's likely Australian Olympic teammate Karrie Webb, a two-time winner of the event, had a far less memorable day, shooting 73 to be tied 101st.
But they're all chasing 22-year-old Mi Hyang Lee.
On a day when South Korean superstar Se Ri Pak announced she'll retire at the end of the season, her 22-year-old countrywoman Lee threatened to shoot the second 59 in LPGA Tour history after opening with an eagle and seven birdies on the front nine.
She finished with a tournament-record 10-under 62.
Annika Sorenstam is the only player to shoot 59 in an LPGA Tour event, accomplishing the feat in the second round of the 2001 Standard Register Ping at nearby Moon Valley.
Lee matched the tour's nine-hole record of nine-under set by Amy Yang last year in South Korea.
"I had a lot better luck today," Lee said. "I had fun today."
The 38-year-old Pak broke the retirement news after an afternoon 69.
"It's pretty hard to make a decision to be retiring," Pak said. "I'll miss all my friends."
She has won 25 LPGA Tour titles and five majors, two of them as a rookie in 1998, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007.
"She's my idol," countrywoman Lee said. "I saw her on TV when I was 4 years old. When I was 15 years old, I played with her in Korea when I was amateur. ... It's just a little sad. I will miss her."
Sei Young Kim and Brittany Lang were tied for second at 63.
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