World No 2 Atthaya Thitikul shot a tournament-record nine-under-par 63 to grab the first-round lead at the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea on Thursday.
The 19-year-old from Thailand was a stroke ahead of local amateur Kim Min-sol in the LPGA event in Wonju.
It was a disastrous day for world No 1 and defending champion Ko Jin-young, who shot an eight over 80 on her return from a wrist injury.
Thitikul, who has already won twice in her first season on the LPGA Tour, said: “I just want to go out and play, and just focus on what I have to do. What I have been thinking about is yardage and how I am going to hit shots.”
Three players share third place after carding 66s – Andrea Lee of the United States and the South Korean duo of Hong Yae-eun and Kim A-lim.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko was in a tie for sixth, five shots off the lead.
South Africa’s Paul Reto shot an even-par 72 and countrywomen Ashleigh Buhai a six over 78.
Top-ranked Ko Jin-young was philosophical after finishing the day nearly bottom of the pile.
“Golf can be like this. Things don’t always go the way I want them to,” Ko said. “I did the best I could … I will try to stay positive to get ready for the remaining rounds.”
