Maguire seven shots off the lead in Thailand

Leona Maguire faces an uphill task at the Honda LPGA Thailand as she finished the first round seven shots off the lead.

On a day of low scoring, Maguire started well with a birdie on the first hole but while she completed a bogey-free round, she was only able to pick up one more shot throughout her round.

The Irishwoman signed for a -2 round of 70, leaving her seven shots behind the leading trio of Australian Su Oh, Japan's Nasa Hataoka and German Esther Henseleit.

China's Xiyu Lu sits one shot back at 8-under.

World number 9 Henseleit had nine birdies in her first round in the event.

Hataoka hit all 18 greens and all 14 fairways and said she's more comfortable than ever in her fourth appearance in the event.

"(This is the) first time we know the golf course, so I know the bad position and good position," Hataoka said. "I missed the bad position, so that's why I play really good today."

Henseleit credited her iron play for a career-low round.

Oh also shot the lowest round of her competitive career on Thursday, capped with a downhill putt for par to close out the first round.

"I would have been so (angry) if I missed," Oh said with a laugh.

"I think my ball striking was actually better last week, but I had like 10less putts this week ... today," said Oh, who needed only 22 putts Thursday. "And I didn't hit it that much closer. I think I hit it closer last week, but just didn't hole anything. So I'm glad I holed some putts today. Feels really nice."

Six players are tied for fifth at 7-under, including Canadian Brooke Henderson and France's Celine Boutier, who is of Thai descent.

Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand finished with a 74.