American amateur Megha Ganne earned a share of the lead at the US Women's Open ©Getty Images

American amateur Megha Ganne earned a share of the lead on the opening day of the US Women's Open at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

The 17-year-old made three birdies on the front nine of the Lake Course in a promising start to her second appearance at the tournament, having played back in 2019.

Back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes saw Ganne move into the outright lead.

Ganne was left settling for a share of the clubhouse lead after a bogey on the par-four 18th hole.

She becomes the first amateur to lead after a round of the US Women’s Open for 15 years, after Jane Park achieved the feat in 2006.

England’s Mel Reid shares the lead with Ganne, after she also bogeyed the final hole following an impressive opening round.

The co-leaders have a one-shot advantage over Americans Angel Yin and Megan Khang, plus Canada’s Brooke Henderson.

The United States’ Lexi Thompson is one of three players to lie two strokes off the lead, with the 2019 US Women’s Open runner-up ending the first round two under par.

Lexi Thompson was among the players to card under-par rounds on the opening day ©Getty Images
Lexi Thompson was among the players to card under-par rounds on the opening day ©Getty Images

The Philippines’ Yuka Saso and China’s Feng Shanshan matched Thompson’s opening round.

World number two Park Inbee, a two-time winner of the tournament and the Olympic champion, finished one under par for her opening round.

She fared the best of the South Korean stars.

World number three Kim Sei-young ended three over par, while defending champion Kim A-lim ended the opening day eight over par.

Kim A-lim started her round with a double bogey and had a triple bogey on the 11th.

Competition continues tomorrow at the tournament, the oldest of the five Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) majors.