Lydia Ko has finished her first round of the New Zealand Open at three under.
Lydia Ko at the 2016 New Zealand Women's Open. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The world No.1 women's golfer mixed five birdies with two bogeys in her round of 69 to finish three strokes off the pace.
The 18-year-old defending champion saved some of her best shots for last, and she made a 20-foot birdie putt on the par three ninth to close her day out.
Fellow New Zealand golfer Cathryn Bristow also fired a three under 69.
Denmark's Nicole Larsen leads the Open after the first round, she shot a six under 66 that included seven birdies and one bogey on the par five fifth.
Larsen is a shot clear of France's Justine Dreher.
