Canberra's Nikki Campbell has sent the strong international contingent a clear warning not to discount the locals with a superb opening round at the Australian Ladies Masters on the Gold Coast yesterday.
Having finished runner-up to world No.1 Yani Tseng last year, Campbell's five-under 67 showed her game is in good enough shape to make her a contender once again.
The 31-year-old's bogey-free round has her well placed in a tie for sixth, two strokes off the pace set by Korea's Bo-Mee Lee (65).
Lee's compatriots So Yeon Ryu and Hee Kyung Seo (both 66), who finished first and second respectively at last year's US Open, and Dutch star Christel Boeljon are a shot behind.
South Koreans have been invading the US LPGA Tour for more than a decade through the early deeds of Se Ri Pak, Grace Park, Mi Hyun Kim and Hee-Won Han.
Lee, who toughed out her last four holes to hang onto the lead, was a six-shot runner-up to Karrie Webb in the 2010 Masters.
Campbell loves the Royal Pines layout, having carded a brilliant final round 64 last year to grab a share of second place.
But the 31-year-old doesn't plan on playing the bridesmaid this time around.
''It's nice to play against a really good field, you get a good gauge of where you're at with your golf,'' Campbell said.
''I just hit some pretty good iron shots and holed some great putts basically.''
Campbell will have a familiar face alongside her this week, with her boyfriend Damon Welsford carrying her bag.
Also a professional golfer, Welsford has decided to put his career ambitions on hold to caddy for Campbell on the Japan Tour this year.
They're a great match off the course, and it appears nothing changes on it.
''He's always been really supportive of my goal and wanted a break from what he was doing,'' Campbell said.
''I think he's quite excited about doing it.
''On the course it's all business, but afterward we don't really talk too much about golf at all.''
This reporter is on Twitter: @tuxy81
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