Britain's Laura Davies hit a five-under par 67 to finish just one stroke off the lead after the first round of the ANZ Australian Masters on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Davies came up with some powerful hitting

The highlight of her round came at the fourth hole when she holed a 138-yard eight iron shot for an eagle.

Frenchwoman Patricia Meunier Lebouc leads the Royal Pines Resort event with a 66.

Scotland's Janice Moodie lies in joint fourth after a homeward charge of 31 helped her to finish on a 68.

Among those level with her is Karrie Webb, who is looking for her fifth title in six years.

Davies, who lost out in a play-off in last week's Australian LPG Championship, said that her driving had been the key to her good score.

"I've not been happy using my driver in recent years, but today was great," she said.

"I used it on almost every hole and never really looked like getting into trouble."

Davies coped well with the rainy conditions with the only blemish on her card coming when she three-putted the 17th to drop a shot.

"The weather was awful, but the eagle really got me going," she said.