Australia's Gabi Ruffels has started the LPGA Tour event in Thailand well to be tied-seventh after round one.
However, it was Japan's Akai Iwai who truly stole the show in the opening round of the LPGA Tour's tournament in Pattaya, Thailand.
Playing on a sponsor's invitation, Iwai shot a flawless 10-under 62 with 10 birdies to lead by three shots from Sweden's Maja Stark with Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn a further shot back.
Ruffels was -6 through her first 10 holes at Siam Country Club's Pattaya Old Course, before two bogeys left her with a 68 and a share of seventh place on the leaderboard.
Steph Kyriacou was one stroke further back in a share of 15th, while the only other Australian, Grace Kim, was well back after a 74.
The 22-year-old Iwai is a six-time winner on the Japan tour.
She equalled the 18-hole record set by countrywoman Yuka Saso in 2022 and American Jessica Korda in 2018.
- with The AP
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