Stephanie Meadow two shots after the first round of Kia Classic

Meadow placed a bogey-free opening round in California

Stephanie Meadow is in second place, two shots next to the lead, after round one of the Kia Classic in California.

The Northern Irish woman played an opening 67 at the Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad to leave her pursuing leader, the South Korean Chella Choi.

Meadow, 27, completed a bogey-free day with five birdies while Choi shot the last three holes to come to the top of the rankings at seven-under-par 65.

group forms the chase package in third place, one shot behind Weide.

Mel Reid from England placed a bogey on the par-five eighth hole with two birdies to finish in 26th on two under.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Bronte Law both had to settle for rounds of 72, each made three bogeys, and Catriona Matthew of Scotland called the latter to join them for a draw in 51st place

Meadow received her LPGA Tour card in October, hav A year long she visited the Symetra Tour after a lower fracture of the back tension.

The resident of Jordanstown made her mark on the professional game of four years ago with third place in her first major, the 2014 US Women & # 39; s. Open.

After a performance at the Rio Olympics, she struggled to form before losing her Tour membership due to her injury.