The team shot a five-over-par 149 for the best two counting scores in testing conditions at The Country Club, Laguna near Manila.

Korea shot a five-under par 139, thanks to some brilliant driving by Ryu So-yeon (69) and Choi He-yong (70). Australia are second on four-under with hosts the Philippines third on one-under.

Fierce winds blew yesterday and coupled with lightning quick and undulating greens made for a demanding test for all players.

Defending champions Chinese Taipei, one of the favourites, had difficulty with the conditions and found themselves in ninth place on nine-over par.

The Queen Sirikit Cup involves 14 teams from the Asia Pacific zone in a 54 hole team strokeplay event with the best two of three scores to count.

Scores after round one:

139 Korea

140 Australia

143 Philippines

144 New Zealand

149 Thailand, Japan

152 Indonesia, Malaysia

153 Chinese Taipei

156 India, China

157 Singapore

166 Sir Lanka, Hong Kong

Leading individuals:

69 So-Yeon Ryu (Kor), Stephanie Na (Aus)

70 Dasom Lee (NZL), He-Yong Choi (Kor)

Shang shines in Shanghai

nUnheralded Chinese Shang Linyang shot a two-under-par 70 for a surprise two-shot lead in the opening round of the Binhai Ladies Open yesterday.

The 25-year-old from Shanghai, bolstered by home support, shot five birdies against three bogeys to head a strong field in the last event of this season's Ladies Asian Golf Tour.

"I'm very pleased to be the leader among the strong field of Koreans, Japanese, Thai and the US girls. I didn't expect to be at helm today, but this is a good tonic to spur me on tomorrow," she said.

"When my name was called I was a little afraid. Moreover, my flight was the first for the morning session. It was a two-ball flight and I hate moving fast," she added.

"I calmed myself and the birdies I posted on the first two holes erased whatever fear that was in me."

Shang led three Korean players - Yoon Su-jung, Na Ye-jin and Kim Hae-jung - with order of merit leader Libby Smith among a host of players on 74.