A lot has changed for young Victorian golfer Su Oh since she nearly pulled off a stunning Australian Ladies Masters win in 2013.

The then 16-year-old went into the final round at Royal Pines in a share of the lead but was unable to prevent Karrie Webb claiming her eighth Masters crown.

Oh was an wide-eyed amateur with a child’s love of ice-cream when she nearly stole the show on the Gold Coast two years ago.

On Thursday, the newly professional Oh, now 18, showed she’s back for more with a stunning first round display at this year’s Masters.

In just her second tournament as a pro, Oh overcame a sluggish first 10 holes to storm to the top of the leaderboard with four birdies and an eagle in her last seven holes to finish with a four-under-par 69.

She ended the day tied for the lead with unheralded Korean Eun Woo Choi.

Choi looked set be the overnight leader as she moved two shots clear with two holes to play but bogeyed the final two holes of her round to also finish at four under the card.

Oh goes into Friday’s second round knowing she’s an older head than she was in 2013 – with one exception.

“I’d still like some ice cream if I had any, but I can’t go down to Coles because I don’t have a car,” she said.

“I had a lot of experience the last two years, got to play a lot of big tournaments. Last year I played in two majors.

“This is my fourth time to the Australian Masters and I’m feeling pretty good. I feel quite confident to be here and this is kind of where I want to belong.”

Oh tied for second at last week’s Victorian Open in her professional debut.

She says making the step from amateur to pro hasn’t been as daunting as many may assume.

“I played these events as an amateur,” she said.

“I think the transition to turn pro was a lot easier. Maybe when I go to the US it might be a little different, but I like it here – I like playing at home.”

2009 Masters winner Katherine Kirk, using borrowed clubs and old clothes after her bags were lost in transit pre-tournament, is one of four players a shot behind Oh and Choi at three-under.

Joining Kirk with first round 70s was English young gun Charley Hull, her compatriot Holly Clyburn and Norway’s Caroline Martens.

Defending champion Cheyenne Woods is four shots off the lead after shooting an opening round even-par 73.

The second round resumes at 7am AEST on Friday.