American Cheyenne Woods has begun her title defence at the Australian Ladies Masters golf title on the Gold Coast.

The 24-year-old bogeyed her opening hole at Royal Pines, the par-four 10th.

Woods’ playing partners, England’s Laura Davies and France’s Gwladys Nocera, both made par.

English pair Hannah Burke and Holly Clyburn top the leaderboard along with Canada’s Lorie Kane on one-under early in the first round.

South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace, the highest-ranked player in the field at world No.29, is even through two holes to be tied for fourth with several other players.

Jennifer Ray is among that group and is currently the leading Australian in the field.

Conditions are clear although showers are forecast along with the slim possibility of a thunderstorm later in the day.