INCHEON, October 18, 2013 (AFP) - The world number two shot a three-under 69 to open the $1.9 million LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship on Ocean Course at Sky72 Golf Club in Incheon, west of Seoul.
That put her in a seven-way tie for sixth, two shots off the pace set by four golfers, including former major champion Anna Nordqvist of Sweden.
At last year's tournament, Pettersen defeated Catriona Matthew in a playoff. She went on to pick up four more US wins and another in Europe, climbing up to number two in the world rankings behind Park In-Bee of South Korea.
Pettersen mixed in five birdies with two bogeys on the par-72, 5,819-metre (6,364-yard) course. Three of her birdies came on par-5 holes.
Pettersen was joined at 69 by six others, including former world number one Shin Ji-Yai of South Korea and fan favourite Michelle Wie of the US.
World number one Park played with Pettersen in the opening round, and shot a 70 to stay within striking distance. She started off with three birdies on the back nine but had back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th. She picked up her final birdie of the day on the par-3 17th.
Katherine Hull-Kirk is among the co-leaders, thanks to seven birdies against two bogeys.
"I had a hot putter on the first nine holes," said Hull-Kirk, who began her round on the back nine. "I had 11 putts the first nine holes. That was really what got my round going."
A little-known Korean tour player Park Ju-Young also shot a 67 after notching up six birdies against a single bogey.
The younger sister of the two-time US LPGA winner Park Hee-Young, she said she received some early tips on how to play the course from her more experienced sibling.
"She told me not to be aggressive on every hole," the younger Park said. "I think it helped me a lot in playing par-3s and par-5s here. It's a great honour to be playing with these LPGA players, and I will try to enjoy myself over the next two rounds."
Lexi Thompson, the winner last week in Malaysia, shot a 70, along with world number six Choi Na-Yeon, a two-time champ at this event.
Leading first round scores at the $1.9 million LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship at Sky72 Golf Club in Incheon on Friday:
Top first round scores (Par 72)
67 - Amy Yang (KOR), Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Katherine Hull-Kirk (AUS), Park Ju-Young (KOR)
68 - Caroline Hedwall (SWE)
69 - Brittany Lang (USA), Suzann Pettersen (NOR), Carlota Ciganda (ESP), Jenny Shin (KOR), Michelle Wie (USA), Kim Ha-Neul (KOR), Shin Ji-Yai (KOR)
70 - Park In-Bee (KOR), Jane Park (USA), Ryu So-Yeon (KOR), Natalie Gulbis (USA), Giulia Sergas (ITA)