ralians Sarah Kemp and veteran Karrie Webb are both in the running after the first round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale overnight.
Kemp, who also played well at the Women's European Masters in Buckinghamshire last week, began with a two-under par 70 to be tied for third, while Webb birdied the final hole to begin with a solid, even-par 72 to be tied-10th.
Japanese tour player Ayako Ahuera led the way with a 68, four-under par.
Kemp and Webb appear by far the best placed of the nine Australians in the field, along with Victorian Stacey Keating, who capitalised on her successful qualification with a two-over-par 74.
World No. 1 amateur Minjee Lee began poorly with an 11-over-par 83, but her fellow Golf Australia elite amateur squad member Su Oh was impressive in the tricky afternoon conditions with a 76.
Nikki Campbell (77) needs a low second round to make the cut, while Stephanie Na (79), Bree Arthur (82) and Sarah Jane Smith (85) are all out of contention.