Australia's World No.6 carded a six-under-par 65 at the JM Eagle L.A Championship for a share of second spot with Scotland's Gemma Dryburgh, one shot behind leader Swede Linnea Johansson.

Lee's round featured seven birdies and a lone bogey on the par-4 17th hole.

The reigning U.S Open champion, Lee has yet to catch fire in 2023 with her best result a tie for 41st at last week's Chevron Championship, the women's first major championship of the year.

She said the course at the Wilshire Country Club reminded her of home.

"Just the look of the bunkers and how they're situated on each hole," Lee said.

"It just kind of gives me good vibes.”

"I started pretty, just with pars, and then made three birdies in a row. That was nice to finish off my front nine. Then a couple more on the back nine.”

"It was a nice, solid day."

Fellow Australian Hannah Green carded seven birdies, along with two bogeys and a double-bogey on the par-4 sixth, on her way to a three-under 68 and a tie for 12th.

Sydneysider Sarah Kemp was tied for 33rd after posting a one-under first-round 70.

Young guns Grace Kim and Steph Kyriacou had even-par opening rounds of 71.