Kiwi Lydia Ko lags eight shots behind the LPGA US Open leaders, after a scratchy four-over-par opening round at Peeble Beach, Monterey.
The world No.3 began her day brightly, with birdie at the first hole, but struck disaster at the par-three fifth, where her tee shot hooked into a hedge.
A provisional third shot off the tee found a greenside bunker and when she could not find her original ball, Ko was forced to play four from the sand.
Her wedge shot barely exited the bunker, but found thick grass on the edge of the green, and Ko fluffed her fifth shot onto the putting surface, before two-putting.
She regrouped quickly, carding a birdie on the very next hole - a par-five - but gave that stroke back again at the par-three 12th and then another on the final hole, when she found another greenside bunker.
With 65 and ties progressing to the weekend, Ko sits 83rd equal, with ground to make up, if she hopes to make the cut.
Chinese Xiyu Janet Lin and Korean Hyo Joo Kim are tied atop the leaderboard, after carding four-under 68.
