'Happy vibes': Aussie golf aces fire at women's major

Two of those pacesetters are Lee's fellow Australians Gabriela Ruffels and Grace Kim, who both opened with bogey-free six-under 65s on Thursday to join Ireland's Leona Maguire and American duo Jennifer Kupcho and Andrea Lee atop the leaderboard.

It's only early days but the leaders could be forgiven for already looking over their shoulders anxiously at the resurgent Lee.

After enduring the longest winless run in her decorated career, a 20-month title drought, Lee has burst back to life since switching to a broomstick putter this season.

Returning to the scene of the first of her three major championship triumphs, the 29-year-old rolled in another six birdies at the beautiful French course nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps.

After finishing with a flurry, picking up four shots in her last seven holes after teeing off from the 10th, Lee is one stroke ahead of American world No.1 Nelly Korda, who is tied for seventh.Ominously, the West Australian said she was feeling mentally recharged following a well-earned fortnight's break since claiming the third leg of women's golf's fabled career grand slam.

"It's been really good to have the last two weeks off. The first week was a little more hectic doing a few media commitments and going out and celebrating," Lee said.

"Just good laughs, good food, good company, couple drinks here and there - as you do.

"So I've had the past week to just be relaxed and do some practice and get ready for Evian."

Lee famously rallied from seven shots back to win the event in 2021.

So it should come as no surprise that she is riding the "happy vibes" from such a memorable comeback win.

"Obviously playing each hole, I can kind of reflect and think back at what happened that round," said the world No.6.

"You know, just gives me good energy and just, yeah, happy vibes, I guess."

A one-time former Australian national junior tennis champion, the super-talented Ruffels credited her flawless round to a refreshing day out at Wimbledon.

The 23-year-old snapped up tickets to the All England Club from Australian doubles legend Todd Woodbridge, who was coached by Ruffels' father Ray.Like her bogey-free, six-birdie round, Ruffels reckons Wimbledon's strawberries and cream were just the sublime preparation for the fourth major of the year.

"I wanted to make sure they were really good and they definitely were very good," Ruffels said.

"Yeah, it was definitely a bucket-list thing to do and I'm glad we were able to tick that off. 

"Last time I went, I was six so I didn't really remember it. I wanted to go when I remembered and appreciated it.

"It was such a cool experience. Yeah, it's just kind of like a perspective switch as well from golf to kind of get in the tennis world."

Earlier there had been drama when British star Charley Hull had to withdraw after collapsing twice with a virus.

Hull felt unwell on the fourth tee and received medical attention after collapsing, then got up and hit her tee shot before tumbling to the ground again. She was taken off on a stretcher by a golf buggy, and had further medical checks which showed up the virus, but otherwise she was reported to be okay.