Starting on the 10th hole, Kemp made the best possible start to her opening round in Cincinnati with a birdie at the par-4 before eventually turning in one-under after a five hole stretch to close the back nine that included two birdies, two bogeys and a par.

The 36-year-old found her best stuff when heading for home, Kemp recording five birdies on the front nine to sign for a six-under 66 that sees her share third two shots back of China’s Xiyu Lin.

“I really want to keep my job. I don't want to have to go back to Q-School,” Kemp said after the round. “But, yeah, it's a tough thing to figure out. I don't know if anybody ever figures it out. You just kind of embrace the season you're in I guess. So that's what I've been trying to do.”

Kemp’s sunny disposition was in full display on Thursday, as it always is, with her temporary caddie providing the laughs along the way.

“Nothing. If I'm really honest,” Kemp joked of what Cornwell offers as a caddie. “But she makes me laugh. That's the most important thing. I feel comfortable and she makes me laugh. She says really silly things.

“So, yeah, she's just out there keeping me calm and keeping it light. Just making sure I have a good time in between shots, no matter what happens.”

Lin’s 64 included nine birdies and a lone bogey after also starting on the back nine, while Japan’s Nasa Hataoka sits in second alone after a 65.

Hannah Green is the next best of the Aussies in a share of 31st at two-under, the same score as 14-year-old Monday Qualifier Gianna Clemente. The teenager playing her third straight LPGA Tour event via pre qualifying.

But it was a struggle for the rest of the contingent with Minjee Lee and Karis Davidson well outside the cut line following four-over-par rounds of 76 and Sarah Jane Smith a shot further back.