Defending champion Karrie Webb has set herself a tough task to claim a ninth Australian Ladies Masters crown after her opening round on the Gold Coast.

Webb shot a one-over-par 74 at Royal Pines on Thursday morning to be six shots behind clubhouse leader Jessica Korda from the United States.

The 39-year-old Queenslander made just one birdie in her morning round, on the par-5 15th, before dropping shots with bogeys on the 16th and seventh.

“I think it was a tricky day,” Webb said.

“I’m not surprised to see that four-under is leading.

“Not a disaster though. That’s my first round (for 2014) under the belt and we’ll see how the rest of the tournament goes.”

Korda, the 2012 Australian Open champion, made eight birdies in her five-under 68 including one on the par-5 18th to snatch the outright lead from France’s Valentine Derrey.

The 20-year-old, who had three bogeys on her front nine, came into the tournament in great form after winning the LPGA season-opening event in the Bahamas.

Derrey made a late charge when she eagled the 18th to finish on four-under.

The Frenchwoman was one shot clear of three players including Australian pair Kristie Smith and Sarah Kemp.

England’s Eleanor Givens began her day with a double-bogey on the par-4 10th but provided the highlight of the morning with a hole-in-one on the 146m par-3 5th.

Givens ended her round tied with Webb on 74.

Three-time winner Laura Davies shot an even-par 73.

Former world No.1 and 2011 Ladies Masters winner Yani Tseng was among the players taking to the course in the afternoon with a gusty wind picking up and showers forecast.