Both players carded five-under-par at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage to set the early pace in California.

Japan's Miyazato, a former world number one, has gone four years since her last title on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) circuit and the 30-year-old has never claimed a major.

"I’m definitely happy to see my name on the board, but it’s just the first day and it’s a long way to go tomorrow too," she said after a bogey-free display.

“I thought the greens, if anything, were a bit softer this morning, so that’s definitely helped.

"And tomorrow it’s going to be changing.

"I’m going to play in the afternoons and the greens might be firmer than today.

"So just to keep it going, and like I said, I’m going to still say to myself just be patient and just have fun.”

Spaniard Munoz missed last year's ANA Inspiration due to surgery on her left hand to remove a tumor. 

“I kept it super calm out there,” said the 28-year-old.

"I actually didn’t hit my driver really well, so I put myself in not the best positions, but I just took what I got and made the best of it, and I’m really proud of myself for that.”

Scotland's Catriona Matthew is one of three players one shot off the lead, alongside Shiho Oyama of Japan and South Africa's Lee-Anne Pace.

New Zealand's 18-year-old Lydia Ko, who is seeking a second-straight major after winning the Evian Championship in September, carded two-under-par.

Last year's champion, American Brittany Lincicome, was one of a number of players to card even par in front of her home crowd.

The tournament will continue tomorrow.