Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has taken an early lead, after an impressive opening round at the Saudi Ladies International.
The world No.7 shot a five-under-par first round of 67, including six birdies and just one bogey, to sit atop the leaderboard, alongside Spain's Carlota Ciganda - one shot clear of the chasing pack.
Part of the Ladies' European Tour, the Saudi Arabia event has prizemoney of US$1 million (NZ$1.4m) at stake.
"I didn't drive it very well, but every time I did miss it, I wasn't in that much trouble," Ko says.
"I hit it in the desert once and got pretty lucky with my lie. I think today, it was a combination between being lucky when I didn't hit it good and my irons being really good.
"I made a lot of opportunities and holed a few good putts, which sharpened up my tee shots."
Ko will contest this week's event and then return to the United States for the Pelican Women's Championship.
She had planned on playing two events in Saudi Arabia, which would have conflicted with the LPGA event in Florida. Ko, 24, needs to play in both of the tour's final two tournaments to have enough rounds to qualify for the Vare Trophy.
Ko is currently first in line to win the award, which goes to the player with the lowest seasonal scoring average on tour.
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist is expecting a more stern test for her second round, with the weather forecast predicting gales.
"I'm pretty sure it will be pretty breezy tomorrow and it will make it a little bit cooler to be outside at least," she says. "I think I just have to be aggressive.
"Even though it is windy, I think there are some gettable holes, so just trust my game and see where that puts me."
