The 23-year-old, who captured the Ladies Scottish Open in 2022 for her maiden LPGA title, is making her second start in the field of 35 for players who have won on tour in the past two seasons.

She broke from a pack late in her round with birdies on the closing two holes at Lake Nona and was steady throughout to finish without clean card.

The Japanese star finished two shots clear of Sweden's Maja Stark, who tied for second at this tournament last year; and Mexico's Gaby Lopez, a past champion of the TOC.

Lopez started off on the back nine and birdied six of her first eight holes.

Her December was not spent practicing, but instead on a three-week honeymoon that took her around the globe, including experiences on safari in South Africa and up-close to the pyramids of Egypt.

"All of my play today, that was really fantastic for me." – Ayaka Furue. 

She had few expectations other than to start slowly, but when she stuffed a 7-iron close at her fourth hole – the par-3 13th – and converted the short putt, she was four-under through four holes. That, she said, shook out all the "spiderwebs."

Californian Danielle Kang – another past champion of the event – opened with 68, as did Ally Ewing, a three-time winner on the LPGA who is seeking her first victory since 2022.

Furue's 65 was the low round posted by a professional since the tournament shifted to Lake Nona in 2021.

"All of my play today, that was really fantastic for me," Furue said.

"I could make a lot of birdies and get closer to the hole, and, yeah, I think that's the point I could gain (from) the result today."

The group at three-under and in a share of sixth include defending champion, Brooke Henderson of Canada, who a year ago won the tournament by four shots, going wire-to-wire for her 13th LPGA victory and, Kiwi Lydia Ko, a two-time major champion.

Grace Kim is also in the collection of players in a tie for sixth.

The Sydneysider also signed for a 69 to be four off the lead.

Kim had six birdies but bogeys on the 5th, 13th and 18th prevented her from being closer to the lead.

Lilia Vu – last year's LPGA player of the year and a two-time major winner in 2023 – opened the season with a round of 71, which left her in a tie for 18th.