Four players were jostling for the outright lead early in the second round of the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.

Australia’s Sarah Kemp and American Stacy Lewis were the joint overnight leaders after posting rounds of 69 – four under the card.

But Argentine Victoria Tanco and Briton Melissa Reid joined the party as the second day began in ideal sunny conditions.

Tanco started with a bogey at her first hole but was quick to amend the mistake, putting together four front-nine birdies to reach the turn four under.

Reid made a flawless start, picking up shots at her third and fourth holes and making five regulation pars.

World No.1 and defending champion Yani Tseng, who was due to hit off early in the afternoon, finished the first round three under the card and was in a perfect position to attack the leaders.

Australian four-time champion Karrie Webb had an opening 75 but said she was still confident with some good signs from the swing changes she made over the past few months.