"Sometime we had sunshine, wind, rain … We had a little bit of everything today," said Lee after she carded a bogey-free six-under 66 on the International Busan course on Thursday.

"But whenever I had to make up-and-downs, I was able to get up-and-down."

Danielle Kang, who won last week's tournament in Shanghai, was in a group tied for second with Jin Young Ko, Jeongeun Lee6 and Seung Yeon Lee.

LEADERBOARD

Shanshan Feng was in a group of seven tied for sixth, including Victorian Su Oh, with a 68.

Feng found some of the tough conditions to her liking.

"Somehow when I play in the wind, I'm more focused and more patient," she said.

Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda each shot 69, her sister Jessica Korda 71 and Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer had opening 74s.

This is the second stop on the LPGA Tour's Asian swing. There are also tournaments in Taiwan and Japan over the next two weeks.