After going two-over on her opening nine, the West Australian finished with a flurry of birdies on her way to posting a three-under-par 68 at Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

The 2019 KPMG Women's PGA champion birdied the last four holes, adding to an earlier one on 11, in a blemish-free back nine to finish four behind Paula Reto, who fired a 64 to grab a two-shot lead on Thursday.

"I holed a couple good par putts actually before the four birdies in a row, so I just felt very confident on the greens," Green said.

"I did hit a couple close so that's always nice. But I really was struggling the first nine holes to even find the fairway and find the greens, so it was nice to finish under par today."

Fellow West Australian Minjee Lee is also in contention, shooting a two-under-par 69 to be one behind compatriot Green, who is tied 15th after the opening round.

The World No.7 had a mixed round combining five birdies with three bogeys.

South Africa's Paula Reto leads after day one in France. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

South African Reto carded eight birdies to offset her lone bogey, which came on her second hole of the day.

"This golf course is so (much) fun, and the views and everything, it's just awesome to be here," she said.

"You never know out here with this golf course; anything is possible. You just got to give yourself the best opportunity to make par and birdie."

Reto holds a two-shot lead over a group of four players that includes former World No.1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, France's top-ranked player Celine Boutier, American Alison Lee and Thailand's Wichanee Meechai.

Defending champion Brooke Henderson fired 69 and is in a deep group tied for 19th, including Lee, LPGA Tour rookie star Rose Zhang and Linn Grant – who won the Dana Open two weeks ago.

"I did hit a couple close so that's always nice. But I really was struggling the first nine holes to even find the fairway and find the greens, so it was nice to finish under par today." – Hannah Green.

Current World No.1 Jin Young Ko of South Korea and second-ranked Nelly Korda are six back of Reto's lead after opening with 70s.

"If I can just go out and give myself the best chance possible, good club selection, know where to be on the green, just know when the putts are downhill, uphill, so all that stuff to keep my brain occupied with good information," Reto said of her mindset entering the second round.

Grace Kim opened with an even par round to sit tied for 50th, with Sarah Kemp and Karis Davidson two shots further back and Steph Kyriacou rounding out the Aussie contingent in T98 after a three-over 74.