Golf: Catriona Matthew opens in Kia with birdie blitz

Ricoh Women's British Open champion Matthew started her round with a par on the tenth, before claiming birdies at 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th. A bogey at her final hole, the par-4 ninth, was her only blemish as she finished the day with a share of third on four-under par.

Na On Min led the way after a bogey-free, six-under round of 66, one stroke ahead of Na Yeon Choi. Min teed off at 7.15am, long before the breeze picked up across the course. The highlight of her round was a birdie putt of approximately 45 feet on her fourth hole, the par four 13th.

"I feel pretty good on my putting today," she said. "It was the best thing. I'm not complaining. I was happy."

Seon Hwa Lee and Inbee Park both hit rounds of 68 to lie level with Matthew, one stroke better than Amanda Blumenherst and In-Kyung Kim. World No 1 Lorena Ochoa was in a group of six players who finished the opening day two-under.

Japanese star Ai Miyazato, the first LPGA Tour player in 44 years to sweep the first two events of a season, had a poor start with a two-over 74 for a share of 59th place. No LPGA player has ever won the first three tournaments in a season.

Michelle Wie, trying for her second win as a professional, closed with three bogeys in her last six holes for a share of 24th place on 72.

Wie, who won her first professional tournament at the end of last season, was two-under through 11 before missing putts at the 13th and 14th for consecutive bogeys. "I think it's just the greens," she said. "I felt I hit good putts and they just didn't go in."