Australian Karrie Webb is just one off the pace after the opening round of the Kia Classic being played at the Aviara Golf Club in California.

Webb, who played in the tougher afternoon conditions, posted six birdies and one bogey in her five-under-par 67 to be one behind American Jane Park.

The Queenslander played very consistent golf on the opening nine holes, posting birdies on the 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th holes to go out in 32. Another birdie followed on the 12th before the 38 year-old carded her only hiccup of the day on the 13th. As usual Webb hit straight back with a birdie on the very next hole.

Webb shares second position with Swede Caroline Hedwall, while Italian Giulia Sergas and American Jessica Korda are tied for fourth a shot further back. 10 players sit at three-under-par including the likes of American Paula Creamer and South Korean Se Ri Pak.

After the round, Webb chatted about what worked well for her today, “Everything really. Tee to green was pretty solid.”

“I only missed a couple fairways, a couple greens and made some putts, which is good in the afternoon on these poa annua greens, so it was a pretty solid round.”

“I didn`t really get myself in too much trouble, just one hole I missed a fairway and was in the deep rough, but other than that it was all right.”

Lindsey Wright is the next best placed Aussie in a share of 43rd position; she posted an even par round of 72, which included four birdies and four bogeys. Sarah Kemp, who is playing in the same group as Wright for the first two rounds, shot a one over par 73 to be tied for 57th. Katherine Hull-Kirk is a further shot back and tied for 76th.

Unfortunately Sarah Jane Smith (79) and Julia Boland (81) are well back in the field. Smith is tied for T134th, while Boland is T140th.

The defending champion this week is Yani Tseng, the former Rolex World No. 1, however she missed her pro-am tee time and was disqualified from the tournament. American Stacy Lewis who has taken over the top spot on the Rolex Rankings shot a two-under-par to be tied for 16th.