South Korean Ryu So-Yeon made her golf stick do the talking at the Women's British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England.
The 22-year-old Ryu made her links course debut with a two-under 70 to share the joint lead with compatriot Haeji Kang after the first round.
The winner of last season's U.S. Women's Open, Ryu, was very impressive on the course. She struck five birdies, that too under tough weather conditions which saw the breeze making it difficult for the golfer to stay put, leave alone focus.
Ryu would definitely need to be strong-willed as strong winds are forecast for the second round.
Defending champion Yani Tseng of Taiwan ended the first day on even par 72, with 15-year-old amateur Lydia Ko.
Three-time champion, Australia's Karrie Webb and the 2008 champion from South Korea, Shin Jiyai, ended joint third on 71.
Ryu, who won the Toledo Classic on the LPGA Tour last month was relaxed ahead of the major championship. "I have felt under huge pressure ever since I won the U.S. Open," she was quoted as saying by AFP.
"After I won a major everyone back home couldn't understand why I didn't win more. But getting my second LPGA title at Toledo was great. Today also feels really good.
Speaking about the tough weather conditions in Hoylake, Ryu said: "On Tuesday and Wednesday I just thought 'wow.' The weather was so bad here. But today was much better and I just hit a lot of low fade shots and that really helped. I was only in one bunker and that was also a bonus."
Ryu and Kang shared the highest 18-hole score to lead the Championship since it became a major in 2001.
The 21-year-old Kang raced ahead in the morning session before she was joined by Ryu. Kang led early despite a double bogey and two bogeys, all thanks to her six birdies on the day.
Catriona Matthew, the last British winner of the tournament in 2009 -- shot 76 along with the 2004 champion Karen Stupples while fellow Britons Carly Booth and Melissa Reid both had 77s.
The 1986 title holder, Laura Davies ended the day with a poor eight-over-par 80 and will have work to do to make the 36-hole cut.
