P - Karrie Webb started solidly at the LPGA Tour's Canadian Pacific Women's Open on Thursday but sits five shots off the lead held by red-hot Frenchwoman Karine Icher.
The 36-year-old Icher had six birdies in a seven-hole stretch to card a seven-under 65 in the opening round at Vancouver Golf Club.
She holds a two-stroke advantage over New Zealand's two-time champion Lydia Ko (67), who birdied the final two holes.
Australian veteran Webb is tied for 13th in a group of eight players at two-under
Sarah Kemp (72) is the next-best Australian followed by Katherine Kirk, who signed for a 74 along with rapidly improving teenager Minjee Lee (74).
Stacey Keating (77) and Sarah Jane Smith (78) were well off the pace.
"My putting was very good, and I think today I've seen the hole bigger than the other days," Icher said. "Sometimes you have days like that where everything works, so I'm quite happy with this one."
"When you make some birdies like that in a row, you have more and more confidence."
Ko won in 2012 at 15 years and four months to become the LPGA Tour's youngest winner and fifth amateur champion. She successfully defended her title in 2013 as an amateur, winning by five strokes in Edmonton, Alberta.
The 18-year-old New Zealander has two victories this year.
"I think the biggest difference is me. I don't have the glasses, and I feel much older," Ko said.
"But it's great to come back to a course where you've played well and the spectators have been great and they've been supporting me today, even in the practice rounds. It's definitely a great where you feel really welcome."
Stacy Lewis, IK Kim, Danah Bordner and Pernilla Lindberg shot 68. Winless this year, Lewis hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
Canadian teen Brooke Henderson, coming off a victory Sunday in the Portland Classic, opened with a 70. The 17-year-old Henderson is the first Canadian to win on the tour since Lorie Kane in 2001.
Top-ranked Inbee Park, the Women's British Open winner in her last start, had a 71. She has a tour-high four victories this season.
Michelle Wie had a 74. Struggling with a left ankle injury, she's playing for the first time since withdrawing during the second round of the Women's British Open after slipping walking off a tee box.
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