Four days after pushing the professionals hard amid top-10 finishes in the Australian Women's Classic, the pair are back on the leaderboard after the Women's NSW Open first round.

Ji shot a three-under 69 at Coolangatta and Tweed Heads GC on Thursday to be tied third, one shot behind joint leaders Maja Stark of Sweden and India's Amandeep Drall.

Fifteen-year-old Hammett carded a 70 for a share of seventh in the co-sanctioned tournament.

Two-time tournament champion Meghan MacLaren of England cooled off after Sunday's victory in the Australian Women's Classic, shooting 73 in a round containing four bogeys and an eagle to be tied 26th.

Stark is coming off a fast-finishing second in the Classic at Bonville, where she was one shot behind MacLaren.

Ji shares third spot with England's Alice Hewson, Scotland's Michele Thompson and Australian Jordan O'Brien.