Woods - the niece of Tiger Woods - was unable to fit in a practice round on either of the layouts in use for the tournament after her clubs missed a connection in Los Angeles and had to be loaded onto another flight.

They did not arrive at the 13th Beach clubhouse until late on Wednesday afternoon.

It didn't seem to matter as the 27-year-old carded a five-under 68 to claim outright second spot after Thursday's opening round - one shot behind fellow American Beth Allen.

"I just took a nap and I relaxed yesterday and it was great," said Woods.

"It was nice - after such a long travel day (not having her clubs) forced me to rest.

"I played last week so I've had a lot of golf under my belt recently.

"In terms of preparation I'm feeling ready to play."

Woods has fond memories of Australia, having won the 2014 Ladies Masters at Royal Pines

Allen, 36, also feels right at home Down Under.

The wind, which is a regular feature of the 13th Beach layout, doesn't bother her either as she is now based in Scotland.

"I only arrived yesterday so I didn't have tons of expectations which is usually good," said Allen, who had six birdies and no bogeys in her 67.

"I scored on the par fives pretty well and I holed quite a few putts.

"That was good because last year that's what I was struggling with."

Swede Camilla Lennarth was in third spot on 69, with Australian No.1 Minjee Lee, countrywoman Tahnia Ravnjak and 2016 Vic Open champ Georgia Hall from England in a group of five tied for fourth at three-under 70.

Lee had a breakthrough win at this tournament in 2014 when still an amateur.

The 21-year-old has since gone on to win three times on the US LPGA Tour.

"I played pretty solid," said Lee, who will get an early tee-time on Friday when conditions are expected to be best suited to low scoring.

"It's just that a couple of putts didn't drop down the stretch.

"I think I played the wind pretty well."