An unheralded Italian has made a scorching start to the Women's Australian Open as two main local hopes struggle to make early inroads. 

World No.194 Alessandra Fanali birdied four of her opening five holes at Adelaide's Kooyonga Golf Club to take the early first-round lead on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Fanali is four under, while Australia's major winners Minjee Lee and Hannah Green are even par at the midpoint of their opening rounds.

Drawcards Lee and Green, grouped together and among the first golfers to tee off, are among 31 Australians hoping to become the nation's first winner of the open since Karrie Webb in 2014.

Both Lee and Green carded a bogey and a birdie on their initial nine holes.

Claire Shin, who was born in New Zealand but is now a naturalised Australian, and Kelsey Bennett lead the local contingent at two under early in their first rounds.

The 21-year-old Shin landed two birdies in her initial four holes and is among a two-under batch including German duo Laura Fuenfstueck and Alexandra Forsterling, and Spain's Marta Martin.

New South Wales' Bennett, who last weekend triumphed at  the Australian Women's Classic in her home state to record the biggest win of her career, banked three birdies but also a bogey in her opening eight holes.

Other leading Australians, including major winner Grace Kim and Steph Kyriacou, tee off in the afternoon.