The Englishwoman fired a first round 68 - five under par - to lead by two shots. Six players were sharing second, including Australian Rebecca Flood, while favourite Karrie Webb is five off the pace. The 46-year-old former world No. 1 fired a five-under-par 68. Davies started at the 10th and dropped a stroke immediately with a six on the par-5.

But that was he only blemish as she racked up  six birdies, including successive ones at the 16th and 17th. Lindsey Wright was the best of the early Australian finishers with a 71, one better than Australian Ladies Masters runner-up Katherine Hull.