Coming off a third-place tie Sunday in the LA Open at Wilshire Country Club, the West Australian had a bogey-free round at hilly Palos Verdes Estates in the first-year event that wraps up the LPGA Tour's west coast swing.

"I took Monday off. Didn't even come to the course," Lee said. "Tuesday, I played nine holes and then I saw the other nine in the pro-am.

"I think it's so hilly out here that you want to keep your legs fresh."

The Australian closed with a five-under 31 on the front nine.

"I think it's just the way like the holes are set up," Lee said. "There are a lot of birdie opportunities starting on the front nine.

"Even like the first hole and the second and third, they're all wedges in. I just think there are a lot of opportunities in a row that you can kind of capitalise on."

RIGHT: Hannah Green opened with a four-under round to sit in a share of eighth. PHOTO: Harry How/Getty Images.

Lee won the Evian Championship last season for her first major title and sixth LPGA Tour victory.

Ko had six straight birdies starting on the second hole on her final nine. She stumbled to a tie for 21st last week after sharing the lead with winner Nasa Hataoka late in the third round at difficult Wilshire.

"Before starting today I just reminded (myself) that golf is golf," Ko said. "Don't think about last week. Starting again, new routine."

Charley Hull, Moriya Jutanugarn and Jennifer Chang shot 65. Albane Valenzuela and Gemma Dryburgh were at 66, with Dryburgh having the best round in the breezier afternoon session and a hole out eagle at the par-4 5th.

"I think it's just the way like the holes are set up. There are a lot of birdie opportunities starting on the front nine." - Minjee Lee.

Anna Davis, the Augusta National Women's Amateur winner, opened with a 71 in her first LPGA Tour start.

The 16-year-old from San Diego received a sponsor's exemption.

"I think it was pretty much like every other tournament I would say," Davis said.

"There weren't like as many people, but I'm expecting the next few days to see some more people out here ... I wasn't super nervous or anything."

Lee’s fellow Aussie major winner Hannah Green is the next best of our contingent, the reigning Vic Open champion signing for a four-under 67 to sit in a share of eighth.

Two shots behind Green are compatriots Katherine Kirk and Sarah Jane Smith, who are tied 21st.