Maja Stark and Wichanee Meechai have each shot six-under 66s to share a two-stroke first-round lead at the LPGA Shanghai event in the tour’s return to China after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Swede Stark, one of three rookies on the European team which tied the Americans to retain the Solheim Cup last month in Spain, birdied four of her first six holes on the Qizhong Garden Golf Club course on Thursday.
Thaliand’s Meechai also had four birdies on the front nine, along with two bogies, plus two stunning eagles on 17 and 18.
“Playing the Solheim Cup gave me so much confidence,” Stark said.
“A whole continent is looking for you to play well.”
Americans Danielle Kang, Lauren Coughlin and Alison Lee and Chinese players Cai Danlin and Li Shuying were in a group at four under and in a 10-way tied for third.
World No.37 Kang is going for her third straight victory in Shanghai after winning in 2018 and 2019.
Minjee Lee is the best-placed Australian in a tie for 18th after her two-under-par 70. The world No.7 birdied the fifth, 13th and 17th holes, with her only blemish on the 11th.
Compatriots Karis Davison is a shot further back, while Grace Kim had a one-over 73.
The field, representing 21 countries, features the top two players in the women’s world rankings, Lilia Vu (72) of the US and Women’s PGA champion Ruoning Yin, who shot a 71, from China.
Former world No.1 and South Korean-born New Zealander Lydia Ko shot 74.
The 81-player, no-cut field features 62 players from the LPGA Tour, 15 from the China Ladies PGA and four sponsor exemptions. The event is the start of a four-tournament Asia swing, with later stops in South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.