Pattaya: Rookie Jaravee Boonchant shared a five-way tie for lead after the first round of the US$1.7-million (approx 62 million baht) Honda LPGA Thailand on Thursday.
Jaravee, who is ranked 238th in the world, shot an opening seven-under-par 65 to join Japan's Nasa Hataoka, China's Lin Xiyu, Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and American Jennifer Kupcho at the top of the leaderboard at Siam Country Club.
The 23-year-old Jaravee fired eight birdies during her first round and had just one bogey at the par-3 16th hole.
"I'm very happy with my performance today -- everything went according to the plan," said Jaravee. "I tried to get to the greens and gave myself chances to make putts.
"I'm going to do the same tomorrow and put myself in a position to make as many birdies as possible.
"It's great to see so many fans out there today. Hopefully they will also come in the next three days and give us support."
Meanwhile, Kupcho, who carded five birdies and an eagle, said she felt very much at home, having finished in a tie for sixth at the tournament last year.
"I think I'm really comfortable with this place. I played really well last year," the 25-year-old American said.
The leading group was one shot ahead of American Lilia Vu, Maja Stark from Sweden and South Korea's Jenny Shin. World No.4 Atthaya Thitikul and Natthakritta Vongtaveelap were a further stroke back at joint ninth along with six other players.
The 2022 LPGA rookie of the year Atthaya, who turned 20 on Monday, had a bogey-free round while Natthakritta shot six birdies against one bogey.
Another Thai hope Moriya Jutanugarn sat three shots off the pace after a blemish-free 68 as did world No.1 Lydia Ko, who fired a bogey-free round.
New Zealander Ko came into the tournament in ominous form.
The Seoul-born 25-year-old, who got married in December, has won three events in her last four starts.
Ko, who carded four birdies, was in a share of 17th alongside South Korea's former world No.1 Ko Jin-Young and current world No.2 Nelly Korda of the US.
Moriya was thrilled to be playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd after the Covid pandemic.
"We don't have that [many fans] like really the last two years, and this is the first time since we came back like fully 100 percent," she said. Bangkok Post/AFP
From left, Shi Yuting, Frida Kinhult, Charley Hull, Muni He and Jaravee Boonchant enjoy a picnic on the beach in Pattaya.