Minjee Lee is just one stroke off the lead as the Australian teen made a brilliant start to the defence of her first LPGA Tour title at the Kingsmill Championship.
A brilliant front nine powered Lee to a five-under 66, her round spoiled only by a bogey at the par-4 18th which left her in a tie for second after the opening round, one shot behind leader Mika Miyazato.
The 19-year-old, who won the first of her two LPGA Titles at the River Course, jumped out of the gates with four birdies in her first seven holes to go out in 32.
She added another pair of birdies on the back nine before the late blemish on the last, which left her tied with American Brittany Lincicome, who finished with three birdies in her final five holes.
"I thought I was pretty steady," Lee said.
"I started off pretty well, made four birdies on the front nine, and then two on the back, and bogeyed the last. Overall, pretty solid."
Japan's Miyazato also came home strong with five birdies in her final six holes to finish with a six-under 65.
The greens where a lot faster than expected, though they were receptive and the players were allowed to lift, clean and place on the fairways.
"Course conditions is pretty wet, and last two days, so much rain," Miyazato said.
"But I tried to be more aggressive, the golf, so that's why maybe played very well today."
World No.1 Lydia Ko - who had a double bogey and three bogeys in a six-hole stretch in the middle of her round - closed with a birdie for a two-over 73, matching the efforts of Aussie veteran Karrie Webb.
