Korea's Kang and Ryu lead Women's British Open

South Korea's Haeji Kang and So Yeon Ryu are co-leaders after the opening round of the Women's British Open at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake.

Both women shot opening rounds of 70 to finish on two-under par, one shot ahead of a group of nine players which includes compatriot Jiyai Shin, English amateur Charley Hull and Australia pair Karrie Webb and Stacey Keating.

"My iron shots were great and that was the key," co-leader Kang said.

"I've played quite a lot of links golf in Australia so that also made it a little easier for me," she added.

Ryu, the 2011 Women's U.S Open winner, was also happy with her opening round.

"After I won a major everyone back home couldn't understand why I didn't win more. But getting my second LPGA title at (the Toledo Classic) was great. Today also feels really good," Ryu said.

"On Tuesday and Wednesday I just thought 'wow.' The weather was so bad here. But today was much better and I just hit a lot of low fade shots and that really helped. I was only in one bunker and that was also a bonus," she added.

World No.1 and last year's winner, Yani Tseng heads a 17-strong group on even par which includes 15-year-old amateur Lydia Ko from New Zealand.

Ko, who became the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour in August when she claimed victory at the Canadian Open, once again displayed remarkable maturity.

"Everyone is expecting big things from me. But I don't take much interest in what other people say. I'm not going to play well because other people think I should," Ko said.

"I just play my own game. Today, shooting par was a pretty good start. I could have had a few more birdies but, hopefully, I'm saving them up for tomorrow."