Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow battling to avoid cut at Chevron Championship

Leona Maguire continued her quest for a first major title with an opening round of level par 72 at the Chevon Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in California.

It leaves her six shots behind leading duo Jennifer Kupcho, of the US, and Australia's Minjee Lee.

The world number 20 made the perfect start to her round with a birdie at the 10th - her first - and she reached the turn at one under after a bogey at 14 and another birdie at 18.

Maguire came home in 37 however, despite moving to two under with another birdie at the 1st, bogeying three and five to finish one stroke clear of Stephanie Meadow.

Joint leader Kupcho piled up nine birdies and three bogeys, while Lee stayed bogey-free and recorded six birdies. They lead Thailand's Patty Tavatanakit, the defending champion, by one shot.

"I really like the layout of this golf course, the beautiful shape that it'sin every year," Kupcho said.

"It always is so fun to be here, so just taking advantage of how much I like the course and the atmosphere."

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While Kupcho is still searching for her first LPGA Tour win of any variety, Lee broke through for her first major title at last July's Evian Championshipin France.

"I know I have one under my belt, but I do want a little bit more," Lee said.

"So, yeah, I just think I have a little bit more belief in myself and my gameso I can be a little bit more comfortable just hitting the shots that Ichoose."

Lee began Thursday on the back nine and birdied three of her first five holes to get off to a stellar start.

"My second birdie I had (at the par-4 13th), it was like kind of weaved through the trees because I hit the cart path and went a little bit left, so that was a nice birdie," she added.

Additional reporting: Reuters