Leona Maguire has made a fast start to her final tournament of the season and sits just three shots off the lead after the opening round of the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida.
The 26-year-old, who starred in the Solheim Cup and has achieved five top-10 finishes this year, will look to end a memorable season on a high as she chases a first win on Tour and a winner's cheque of $1.5m (€1.32 million).
Maguire carded a round of 67 that began with four successive birdies, and included one bogey and an eagle at 17. The Cavan native is tied for 14th, three shots behind South Korea's Jeongeun Lee6, who shot a bogey-free, eight-under 64.
The world number 45 says it was important to get a low score given the playing conditions.
"Conditions were pretty much perfect for scoring with no wind and some of the tees pushed up, so you had to make as many birdies as you could," she said.
"I stalled for a bit on the back nine, but it was nice to get that eagle coming in. You really have to take advantage today because it seems like everyone is going low pretty much.
"Celine was in the lead and playing some pretty nice golf, so it was just a case of trying to keep up with her as best I could."
