Sarah Jane Smith has recovered from an indifferent start to share the opening round lead in the CME Group Tour Championship.
Smith fired a first round six-under par 66 to match Taiwan's Peiyun Chien as they hold a one-shot advantage after a breezy day at Tiburon Golf Club.
"Early on it was a little rough. I made some good par saves and then holed some really good putts for birdie," Smith said.
"I just felt comfortable out there today.
"I've been happy with the way I've been hitting the ball so if I can keep that solid I should be able to score pretty well."
Minjee Lee is also in contention after opening with a three-under par 69.
LPGA rookie Sung Hyun Park took a big first step toward sweeping all the season awards with a five-under par 67.
Of the leading five players for the CME Race to the Globe, Park got off to the best start.
She saved par after two poor shots on the par-5 14th with a short iron, and then added a pair of birdies late in her round.
Shanshan Feng, in her debut at No. 1 in the world, had a 70.
Lexi Thompson, who leads the CME Race to the Globe, hit her opening tee shot into a hazard and her day never got much better. She opened with a 71.
AP/AAP
