World No.1 contender Atthaya Thitikul has opened with a tournament-record nine-under-par 63 to set a cracking pace at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea.

The Thai teenage sensation collected seven birdies and a brilliant eagle two on the par-4 13th to grab a one-stroke first-round lead over Korean amateur Minsol Kim.

American Andrea Lee and home hopes A Lim Kim and Yaeeun Hong share third at six under, with Steph Kyriacou the leading Australian six shots off the pace after an opening-round 69.

Minjee Lee, in a seemingly four-way battle for LPGA player-of-the-year honours, carded a two-under 70 to be in a tie for 19th. She is joined by fellow Australians Hannah Green and Su Oh.

Lee and Thitikul could usurp defending champion Jin Young Ko from the top ranking with a victory on Sunday, with the Thai in the box seat after a sizzling, bogey-free opening to the third-last event of the LPGA season.

Thitikul has already won twice in her maiden season on the LPGA Tour to be in with a chance of claiming both the rookie and the player of the year awards.

Three players carded 68s and were five off the lead: New Zealand's former world No.1 Lydia Ko and US pair Lilia Vu and Alison Lee.

Minsol Kim, in addition to getting off to a quick start with a 64, got to play with a personal hero. It is also her first year on the tour.

"When I was younger, I actually came as a gallery to watch the BMW Championships, and I remember thinking that Sung Hyun Park was really cool," Kim said.

"So today, to play side by side with her, it was a real honour."

Park, who has won two majors, had a 69.

- with Associated Press