Kuala Lumpur: National amateur Michelle Koh proved that she was up for the challenge after carding a first round effort of one-under 71 at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia on Thursday.

It left the 23-year-old tied for 28th alongside defending champion and world number one Inbee Park at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club  as South Korea’s Ilhee Lee blitzed the East Course with a seven-under 64 to take the opening round honours.

The nation’s other representatives struggled to get some early momentum going with Oklahoma-based Cindy Lee-Pridgen returning with a three-under 74, ahead of fellow professionals Aretha Pan Herng (76) and Ainil Johani Abu Bakar (86).

Starting on the back nine of the East Course, Koh enjoyed a solid start when she birdied the 12th but dropped bogeys either side of the turn to fall off the pace. The Cambell University graduate however recovered superbly, draining birdies on the sixth and the closing ninth for a positive start at the US$2 million tournament.

“I really enjoyed myself out there and the game plan and strategy that I had drawn up with my coach Koe Lah Yin worked. I kept myself composed and as focused as I can and I’m really happy with the result,” said Koh, who came into the tournament on the back of consecutive victories at the Miri and Selangor Amateur Opens.

“[The first birdie] actually got me excited that I could go lower but in the middle of the round, I struggled a bit with the green speed but picked it back up in the end. It’s a tough closing hole, so it was great to finish off with a birdie.

Eyeing a shot at the best amateur prize, Koh was hoping to be more effective with her flatstick over the next three rounds.  “I hit the ball very well today and I was able to place it where I wanted and if I can continue that and get my putter working a little better and hopefully, stay in the red,” she added.

Despite a couple of three putts, Lee-Pridgen was pleased with her overall performance. “It was a great day and despite feeling a bit jittery at the start, I struck my drives well and it was a big plus because I’ve struggled with this new driver for the last couple of days,” said the 37-year-old.

“My ball striking was a little inconsistent for my liking but I hit the greens and sank some great putts, which keeps me positive for the coming rounds. Had a few three-putts for bogeys when I misjudged my longer putts, so that’s something that I need to improve on but more importantly, just stay patient and keep breathing out there,” noted Lee-Pridgen.