World number one Lorena Ochoa was tied in a four-way lead at four-under par in the first round Thursday at the 1.3-million-dollar HSBC Women's Champions tournament in Singapore.

Joining Ochoa at the top of the leaderboard after carding 68 was US veteran Cristie Kerr, fellow American Angela Stanford and South Korea's Park Hee-Young.

Japan's Ai Miyazato was one shot behind at three-under par as she continued her fine form to the season after having won the tour's season opener in Thailand last week.

Also one shot behind the first-round leaders were American Christina Kim, Swede Sophie Gustafson and South Korea's Kim Song-Hee.

Ochoa, who won the inaugural title in 2008, made three birdies each in the front nine and back nine but her round was marred by a bogey on the 12th and 14th hole.

She missed a chance for an eagle at the ninth hole and had to settle for a birdie instead.

World number two and defending champion Shin Ji-Yai was three shots behind at one-under for a total of 71 while crowd-puller Michelle Wie carded a 72.

© 2010 AFP/sid