Kiwi Lydia Ko is two shots off the lead at the LPGA's Chevron Championship in California, the first Major of 2022.
A year on from finishing as the tournament's runner-up with a final score of 16-under, Ko began brightly at Rancho Mirage by hitting five birdies as part of a near-blemish free round of four under par.
The tournament is also Ko's second since testing positive for and recovering from COVID-19 last month, having finished in a tie for 12th at the JTBC Classic in San Diego last week.
Beginning on the back nine, Ko's round got off to the perfect start with a birdie on the 10th hole, and added another on the 14th to sit at two-under.
A bogey on the 15th saw Ko drop her only shot of the day, going on to complete the first half of her round at one-under.
The Kiwi was even better on the front nine, with birdies on the second and fourth holes taking her to three-under, before one last on the eighth to sit two shots behind the leading pair.
Ko's first round sees her in a six-way tie for fourth, with Australia's Gabriela Ruffels, England's Georgia Hall, Sweden's Anna Nordqvist, Germany's Caroline Masson and Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn all also at four-under heading into the second round on Saturday (NZ time).
USA's Jennifer Kupcho and Australia's Minjee Lee share the lead after the opening round at six-under, while Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit separates Ko from the leaders at five-under.
Victory at this year's Chevron Championship would give Ko her third Major title, and second a the California event since 2016, under the ANA Inspiration name.
Ko has so far won 17 events on the LPGA, with 15 tournament victories to go with her two majors.
