Emma Talley had four birdies and just one bogey at LPGA Q-Series, which got under way Wednesday in Pinehurst, N.C.
Talley finished at 3-under-par 68 after one round.
She is one of 98 players competing in the eight-round event this week and next week, with the top 45 earning a spot on the LPGA Tour next season.
“I was nervous all day,” Talley said afterward. “I haven’t been playing well this year, so to come out and really play steady kind of gets me off to a good start. Hit 16 greens and the only bogey I had was a three-putt bogey on the last. I do think this is just the beginning of something better to come, hopefully.”
All of the players will get to play six rounds. The field will be cut to the Top 80 and ties for the final two rounds next week.
Talley got to 4-under in Wednesday’s action before her lone bogey, on No. 18, left her at 3-under after 18 holes.
Talley is tied for fourth after one round. Kim Kaufman leads at 6-under while two other players are 4-under. Talley is one of seven players at 3-under.
The second round is Thursday in North Carolina.
Talley will tee off at 11:59 a.m. Central time.
(Information from LPGA.com)