Scottish No.1 Catriona Matthew was tied for ninth after an opening 70 in the inaugural Grand China LPGA Tour as American Laura Diaz raced into the lead with a first round 63 at Hainan Island.

Matthew had four birdies in the two under par round to stand, and just missed out on a sub-70 score when she dropped a shot at the 18th. England’s Karen Stupples had a flawless five birdie 67 to share third place and was the best Briton in the elite 63-strong field. 

Diaz, the US Solheim Cup player, had nine birdies and led by three shots from South Korea’s Seon Hwa Lee.

Annika Sorenstam, who will retire from the Tour at the end of the season, opened with a 72. The former world No.1 made a poor start with bogeys at the third and fourth, but also managed three birdies to tie for 24th.