Lydia Ko plays a shot during the first round of the Evian Championship. Photo / Getty
Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has made a strong start in the final women's major of the year, the Evian Championship in Evian-Les-Bains, France.
The world number two fired a two-under 69 to sit three shots behind co-leaders Mi Hyang Lee and Lexi Thompson.
Ko had five birdies on the opening
day, as well as three bogeys, to sit in a share of 12th.
The 18-year-old is bidding to becoming the youngest ever winner of a major.
The New Zealander can usurp American Morgan Pressel, who won the Kraft Nabisco Championship at 18 years and 10 months in 2007, if successful at the $5.2 million tournament over the weekend.
