Australians Minjee Lee and Katherine Kirk made strong starts to the US Women's Open as China's Shanshan Feng set the pace with an opening six-under-par 66
Olympic bronze medallist Feng went bogey-free as she chased a second major title, taking advantage of calm early conditions on a weather-interrupted first day at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey.
She led by one shot from perennial Women's Open contender Amy Yang of South Korea, while New Zealand's former world No.1 Lydia Ko, current world No.1 So Yeon Ryu and Spain's Carlota Ciganda were a further shot back.
Seeking a maiden major title, 21-year-old Lee produced a bogey-free 69 to share sixth place.
Fresh from her first LPGA Tour victory in seven years on Sunday, Kirk had a roller-coaster round of six birdies offset for four back nine bogeys in a 70 to be just one shot further back.
Youngster Su Oh was next-best of the Australians with a 71 while Sarah Jane Smith had a 72 to also be in the top 50.
There was little joy for two-time champion Karrie Webb who had three straight bogeys from the third hole and finished with a 74.
And it was a tough day for little-known Australian 15-year-old amateur Anne Chen, a sophomore at high school in the US.
She had 11 shots on the par-4 13th hole to be nine-over with two holes still to go when play was called off for the day.
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