Minjee Lee has proven the saving grace as Australia's golf stars endured a tough start to the first women's major of the year in Texas. Lee once again battled an uncooperative putter but still wound up still in the mix after hitting 17 straight greens before thunderstorms forced the suspension of her first round at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. China's Yan Liu and South Korean Haeran Ryu set the pace with 7-under-par 65s. Lee was easily the best of the Australians, edging her way to 2-under through 17 holes with two birdies late on an otherwise rueful day. She was in an eight-way share of 16th place when her round was halted. The dual major champion was unable to cash in on a typically supreme display of ball-striking, a three-putt bogey on her second hole — the par-four 11th — setting the tone for a frustrating day on the greens. But Lee showed true grit to hang tough as some of golf's biggest names floundered. World number one and defending champion Nelly Korda will need some round-two magic just to make the halfway cut after opening with a shocking 5-over 77 to be tied for 118th in the 132-player field. Of the seven Australians, Gabriela Ruffels was the next best after Lee in a tie for 34th after rallying with two birdies in her last three holes for a level-par 72. World number five Hannah Green cut a dejected figure after only managing a 1-over 73. Having not been a contender at a major in years, Green had planned to grind her way to a decent start but instead leaked three shots on the back nine following a promising 2-under outward run. Steph Kyriacou (74) also has work to do to make the cut, while fellow Sydneysider Cassie Porter carded a 2-over on her major championship debut. Grace Kim was 3-over through 16 holes, with Hira Naveed posting a disappointing 6-over 78 after entering the week confident of contending after missing the cut on her major debut last year.