One year after earning her LPGA Tour card, Karis Davidson is primed to challenge for her first major title on the world stage.
The Australian fired a four-under-par 69 at Castlerock Golf Club on Thursday to join a four-way tie for the lead after the opening round of the World Invitational.
Davidson's impressive round included five birdies - four of which came in the first six holes - and a lone bogey, as she joined Sweden's Ellinor Sudow, Swiss Kim Metraux and Englishwoman Gabriella Cowley on top of a crowded leaderboard.
The 25-year-old from the Gold Coast was happy to be co-leader after a round in which the players had to fight the wind.
"I'm just going to try and keep doing my own game and try not to think about that too much," Davidson said of her spot on the leaderboard. "But it is nice to see it up there for a change."
She said she is ready to switch courses.
"Galgorm is playing really soft so you can definitely be a little bit more aggressive at pins," she said. "And the greens are a little bit quicker, so it's quite a different golf course. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Davidson has always oozed potential. For many, especially those from down under, her latest exploits won't come as a surprise.
After being awarded the Karrie Webb Scholarship in 2017, Davidson first announced herself in the 2018 Women's Victorian Open where she finished runner-up to Minjee Lee.
Then, in the same competition last year, she was bridesmaid again to another grand slam winner in Hannah Green.
Only 31 players went below par in the 142-player field who are playing both the Galgorn Castle and Castlerock courses.
Four players - Dani Holmqvist (Sweden), Bronte Law (England), Anne-Charlotte Mora (France) and Chloe Williams (Wales) - are one behind the leaders.
A further shot back are American Marissa Steen, Patricia Isabel Schmidt (Germany), Moa Folke (Sweden) and Wichanee Meechai (Thailand).
Su Oh (72), who played Galgorn, is the next best Australian and tied 13th.
