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English golfer Jodi Ewart Shadoff is the leader but local hope Hannah Green lurks ominously after the opening round of the Women's Australian Open.

Local hope Hannah Green believes she's perfectly placed to chase a veteran English golfer who set a stunning first-round pace at the Women's Australian Open.

Brit Jodi Ewart Shadoff shot a flawless seven-under 66 at Royal Adelaide on Thursday and is daring to dream of a long-awaited breakthrough LPGA title.

A decade after turning pro, the 32-year-old Shadoff holds a one stroke lead from Koreans Jeongeun Lee6 and former world No.1 and seven-time major winner Inbee Park.

Perth pair Green (four-under) and Minjee Lee (three-under) are in the mix as they seek to become just the fourth Australian woman to win their national Open.

Green, one of 15 major winners in the field, is content after weathering tricky afternoon winds to be in a batch of 11 golfers at four-under.

"I'm really glad that I got off to a good start and had a nice, solid round," Green said.

"You had to be really patient, it was hard to hit greens because it was starting to firm up.

"I played on the safer side on a few holes, I probably could have been a bit more aggressive but I feel like I'm in good form for the next few days."

In calmer morning conditions, Australia's world No.8 Lee recovered from a horror stretch of three bogeys in four holes to end her initial nine holes.

"I really needed a good push to get my head out of my butt," Lee said.

"I finished with five birdies on my back nine, so pretty happy ... it's the best that I probably could have got out of today's round."

Only two other Australians broke par: Robyn Choi and Sarah Kemp are one-under while five-time Open champion Karrie Webb finished one-over.

England's Shadoff capitalised in the placid morning conditions with seven birdies to raise her hopes of a breakthrough win after 20 top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour.

"I feel ready now," Shadoff said.

"I feel like every part of my game is up to the challenge. It's hopefully going to be a good year and hopefully I get that win."

American defending champion and world No.3 Nelly Korda was among10 players at four-under.

"I drove the ball really well, kind of didn't take advantage of all my opportunities, but it's just the first day so hopefully I can just build from here on," she said.