Scotland's Catriona Matthew was six strokes off the lead after a first day level par 72 in the first round of the women's major, the McDonald's LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock in Maryland.

Canada's Lorie Kane and little-known American, Emily Bastel, shared the lead on 66. Both players had flawless six birdie rounds and finished one ahead of the Kent-born Australian, Lindsey Wright.

Swede Maria Hjorth, a graduate of Stirling University, was in a large group in share of fourth place on 68, while Kent's Karen Stupples had a 71 and was the only British player to break par.

Matthew, who was joint tenth last year, had a solid effort. She birdied the third and eighth, but dropped shots at the sixth and ninth before making par at every hole on the back mine.

Mhairi McKay, the second Scot in the field, opened with a disappointing 75 and will need to improve today to survive the halfway cut.