Top-ranked Stacy Lewis birdied the last three holes and five of the final six on Thursday for an eight-under 64 and a share of the lead with Mi Jung Hur in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.
Lewis, the 2012 winner in the event that was dropped from the schedule last year after it lost its title sponsor, had a bogey-free round on The Senator course. She has a tour-high three victories this season.
"I grew up playing on Bermuda grass, which I think that helps a lot, just reading greens and understanding the different types of lies, but it feels like home," said the American.
"The heat, the humidity, I'm used to it."
Lewis tied for 16th last week in France in the Evian Championship in the final major of the year.
Hur also had a bogey-free round. The South Korean player won her lone LPGA Tour title in 2009.
South Africa's Paula Reto had a 65, and Cydney Clanton was another stroke back along with Sweden's Karin Sjodin and Japan's Ayako Uehara.
Katherine Kirk opened with a two-under 70 to be the leading Australian, one stroke clear of Stacey Keating, Sarah-Jane Smith and Julia Boland, with Sarah Kemp a shot further back on 72.
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