That was Karrie Webb, who understandably as a five-time winner of this event and the only player man or woman to win an Australian Open at both co-host venues Kingston Heath and Victoria received plenty of media attention.

Webb showed signs of semi-retired rust during her opening round at Victoria on Thursday afternoon, whereas her fellow former World No.1 and Aussie Open winner Jiyai Shin barely rated more than a mention in the pre-tournament previewing.

She also was all but ignored after she opened her 2022 Open account at ‘The Heath’ with a five-under 65 playing alongside her fellow major winner Hannah Green. Shin even struggling in her mission to get on the shuttle bus back to Victoria Golf Club after her round before a courtesy car was organised.

“I am really happy to come back and then a lot of people around here and I played with Hannah today, she played pretty well as well, so I tried to follow her. That’s why I had a good result,” Shin told Golf Australia magazine.

The Korean won her lone Australian Open in 2013 at Royal Canberra, and although bearing some similarities to Webb with her pedigree, is anything but rusty from her full time playing commitments on one of the hardest to follow Tours in world golf.

“I have a great memory of this tournament ... I have played a few times in Melbourne, but I didn’t have a good finish. So I really want another one, this time in Melbourne.” - Jiyai Shin.

After ascending to the top of the game, winning 13 times on the LPGA including two majors, Shin returned to more familiar pastures, winning with regularity on the LPGA of Korea and LPGA of Japan Tour. The 34-year-old’s 28 Japanese wins including two last year.

“I play the whole time in Japan now, I always work hard, practice hard, so I am enjoying the golf. I have been doing pretty well this year as well,” she added when asked to assess her lead in form.

That form saw her make six birdies and one bogey during the day when she was out at 7am off the 10th tee, being in the first group of the day part of her formula that led to securing a share of second with playing partner Green behind women’s leader Grace Kim at seven-under.

“We started as one of the top groups so that’s why we have beautiful greens and course conditions and less wind, so it was easy to make some birdies today.”

Whether that ease of under par scoring continues over the next three days at Victoria when the predicted hot northerly winds arrive remains to be seen.

But what is certain is Shin is happy to be back on Aussie soil and has designs on becoming a multiple time winner just like Webb.

“I have a great memory of this tournament and I only won at Royal Canberra, I have played a few times in Melbourne, but I didn’t have a good finish,” Shin said Thursday. “So I really want another one this time in Melbourne.”