Green holds share of Vic Open lead

Showing no signs of ring rust in her first tournament since November, major winner Hannah Green has claimed a share of the lead midway through the opening round of the women's Vic Open at 13th Beach.

The West Australian carded an opening-round six-under 67 on the Creek course on Thursday to be tied for the lead with young Korean Gyu Rin Kim.

Green withdrew from last month's inaugural WPGA event at Royal Queensland when it became clear she would have had to again enter quarantine on return to WA.

The 25-year-old was unsure how she would fare on her return to competition after such a long layoff, but as it turned out she need not have worried.

"I thought I was going to be a bit rusty and I did mishit a couple of shots out there but from memory I knew where to miss it and where not to hit it," said Green.

"I banked on some experience in today's round.

"We've had a couple of tees bump up and then a couple come back so it's been different clubs and lines that I'm taking with the length I've added in my game.

"I definitely need to think about it as it's not just driver everywhere like it has been in the past."

In 2019, Green became only Australia's third female major winner when she saluted at the Women's PGA Championship.

Amateur Jeneath Wong was in outright third spot at three under halfway through the opening day, a shot clear of six players including LPGA Tour regular Su Oh.

Rising star Steph Kyriacou, who was third on the 2021 Ladies European Tour order of merit, is among the afternoon starters.

The men's and women's Vic Opens are played concurrently at the 36-hole 13th Beach layout.