Golf: Rare poor start for Lydia Ko

Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, hits from off the first fairway of the Lake Merced Golf Club during the third round of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. Photo / AP.

Lydia Ko has made a slow return to the LPGA tour with a two over 73 to start the Kingsmill Championship.

Ko headlined a trio with Inbee Park and Lexi Thompson but none of the top three ranked golfers broke par. Thompson was one over and Park after a month out because of injury finished with a three over 74.

World No 1 Ko had a disappointing bogey, bogey finish to her round which included another bogey, a double and three birdies on the Virginia course where she finished in a tie for 16th last year and 5th in 2014.

She has returned to work after a two week break in Florida following her tie for 6th at the Swinging Skirts tournament.

"It was definitely time for me to go home. I missed it," Ko said.

"I'd say I normally don't get homesick, but I felt like it was time to get out of living out of a suitcase. So it was definitely good to go back to Orlando. I guess the second week I just kind of chilled out. It was almost like I was hibernating, sleeping until like 3:00 p.m."

American Brittany Lincicome was the early leader with a five under par 66 and defending champion Minjee Lee made a strong start to be three under after her opening five holes.