![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773913635_541_ImageResizer.ashx.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nMorning showers served to wake up the West Australian, who fought through fatigue and a 4:45am alarm on Thursday morning to shoot the low round of the morning alongside Ladies European Tour rookie Charlotte Heath (65).<\/p>\n
The pair was usurped late on day one by Scotland\u2019s Kelsey MacDonald, who finished birdie-eagle to set a new course record of 7-under 64 and take a one-stroke lead into Round 2.<\/p>\n
A regular on the LET since turning professional in 2013, MacDonald came to Australia late last year after losing her status in Europe, finishing tied 19th at WPGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School in December to earn a category for the four-event LET swing.<\/p>\n
That decision could yield the ultimate result, yet the 35-year-old will need to hold off a raft of internationals and up-and-coming Aussies looking to make their mark.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking advantage of great weather, good golf courses, bit of travel,\u201d MacDonald said of exploring playing opportunities in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when I left Scotland, it was minus seven, so I can\u2019t complain. Just a great opportunity to keep playing for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t win it on the first day, so just got to stick to the process and keep doing what I\u2019m doing and hopefully hole some putts and we\u2019ll see how tomorrow goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Green and Heath are one stroke clear of a group of four players at 5-under; Green perfectly placed to extend her winning run to three in succession.<\/p>\n
Last week\u2019s Australian Open champion in Adelaide, Green hit 17 of 18 greens on Thursday morning and with her energy reserves slowly returning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like I was somewhat yawning out there a few times, which was quite bad, but also not surprising of me,\u201d Green conceded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the rain probably woke me up a little bit, caught us off guard, but it will be nice to have a nap this afternoon.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(Scotland\u2019s Kelsey MacDonald finished birdie-eagle to set a new course record of 7-under 64 and take a one-stroke lead into Round 2. (PHOTO: Australian Golf Media)<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday in the pro-am I made a lot of birdies, but I also made a couple of silly bogeys.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew there was the potential if you\u2019re hitting it well to be able to make a lot of birdies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like I hit the ball well. I think I only missed one green and even then I was still able to putt from that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I can continue to do that throughout the rest of the week, I should be in good form.\u201d<\/p>\n
Revealing post-round that her last start in Queensland was a victory at the Links Hope Island Pro-Am in 2017, Green had no issue adjusting to the grain in the greens that can often confound players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had some wins also in Florida, which is very similar to Queensland, so I think that is helpful. But if I hit 17 greens like I did today for the rest of the week, I\u2019ll be pretty pleased that I won\u2019t have to chip and putt,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely think it\u2019s less grainy to what I thought. I\u2019ve gone in with a mentality that it was going to be probably more difficult and it\u2019s actually feeling a little bit easier so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another Hannah, Queensland rookie Hannah Reeves, is the next best Australian at 4-under par, while Victorian amateur star Jazy Roberts\u00a0is looking increasingly comfortable in professional company with a 3-under 68.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1773913635_971_ImageResizer.ashx.jpeg\"\/)