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Victor Perez leads defending champion Sergio Garcia and four others by one stroke after the opening round of the Andalucia Valderrama Masters on Thursday.

The Frenchman hit five birdies over a flawless round for a six-under 65.

Australia's Nick Cullen is tied 29th after shooting a one-under-par 70 while compatriots Deyen Lawson and Jason Scrivener made even par to be tied 52nd.

"I'm very pleased to keep the card clean, it's one of the toughest places to do it," Perez said. "We had a really good game plan going in to take advantage of the softer conditions."

Tournament host Garcia is right behind Perez along with American Sihwan Kim, Swede Anton Karlsson, Christiaan Bezuidenhout of South Africa and Malaysian Gavin Green.

Garcia is seeking his fourth victory at Real Club Valderrama.

"I love this place, there is no doubt about that," Garcia said. "I hit the ball very well. It's probably the best that I've felt in quite a while."

Bezuidenhout had a lively round - eight birdies and three bogeys.

South Africa's Haydn Porteous of South Africa shot an albatross on the par-five 17th.

Female members have been formally invited to join the world's oldest golf club at Muirfield in Scotland for the first time.

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, who are based at the East Lothian Links, voted to change their controversial membership policy barring women two years ago.

After receiving applications and assessing them through their traditional lengthy procedure, the club have now invited 12 women to take up membership of the 275-year-old organisation from July 1.

"This marks a milestone in the club's illustrious history, and we look forward to welcoming all of our new members to share in the great values and traditions of our club," said Alistair Campbell, captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

The men-only policy at Muirfield attracted considerable negative publicity the last time the course hosted the Open Championship in 2013.

Calls for change, however, were initially rejected by the club after a vote in 2016 and, consequently, Muirfield was suspended from the Open rota by the R&A.

It was reinstated after another vote was taken in 2017 when 80.2 per cent of members backed a change in policy.

US Open winner Gary Woodland is enjoying life as a newly crowned Major champion but has quickly realised the biggest adjustment since his breakthrough victory may just be finding out how to say no.

Woodland, who will return to action for the first time since his US Open triumph when he tees it up at this week's Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, has understandably experienced a sudden increase in requests.

"You try to be a nice guy," Woodland told reporters on Wednesday at Detroit Golf Club. "But sometimes you've got to say 'no', and that's easier said than done for me sometimes."

For Woodland, such demands on his time are uncharted territory and few could have expected that to change going into the year's third major where the 35-year-old American was not on anyone's radar.

But Woodland, in his 31st career major, used a red-hot putter to carve up the Pebble Beach layout and finish three shots clear of runner-up Brooks Koepka, who was seeking a third consecutive US Open title.

Even at Detroit Golf Club, where the field is headlined by world No.2 Dustin Johnson and fan favourite Rickie Fowler, Woodland found himself in the spotlight.

"I don't know if I've ever had the autograph requests that I've had," said world No.12 Woodland. "It's hard to say no, especially when somebody's out there and they're asking.

"It would have been hard for me to hear no when I was a kid, so you try to make time and prepare for that, I guess. I don't know if I blocked in the amount of time to do that yesterday."

But Woodland, a four-times winner on the PGA Tour, will do his best to block out as much of the noise as possible given he remains as hungry as ever for more success.

With the July 18-21 British Open, the lucrative FedExCup playoffs and a chance to qualify for the US team that will defend the Presidents Cup in December in Melbourne, Woodland has plenty to aim for this year.

"There's still a lot at stake," Woodland said. "Being a major champion is awesome, but I'm still trying to win more, still trying to get better."

As golfer Hannah Green sipped vodka and lemonade from her trophy, she planned her first moves as a Major winner.

The first, fly home to her Perth family as soon as possible.

The second, listen to Karrie Webb's sage advice.

The third, splash out on a handbag and ring to fulfil a long-held personal promise.

"There's a couple of things that I said if I was to win my first-ever tournament on (LPGA) Tour that I would like to buy," Green said from Minneapolis airport on Tuesday morning Australian time.

"I really want a Givenchy handbag and a Cartier ring."

The splurge is understandable for Green, who collected a $US577,000 ($A829,000) cheque for winning the Women's US PGA Championship.

But it's also somewhat against the grain for Green, a grounded 22-year-old who wants to share her triumph with family, friends and colleagues at her home club, Mt Lawley in Perth.

Green is just the third Australian woman to win a Major, joining Jan Stephenson and Karrie Webb.

And Webb was among a batch of Australians who helped Green celebrate her victory.

"I wouldn't say it was a party," Green said.

"My trophy, I don't know if you saw me try to pick it up - it was awfully heavy.

"So when I was taking a drink out of it last night I needed a couple of extra hands to help me lift it - there wasn't any beer, it was vodka."

Webb, a seven-time Major champion, is a long-time mentor of Green and gave her some wise advice on how to handle her new-found status.

"She said this will obviously open some more doors for me," Green said.

"She said if I'm ever stuck or confused or need just someone to talk to ... and if I need some advice or someone to chat to, she would happily be there for me.

"She has obviously been in this position before ... she would be a perfect person to fall back on for advice."

Green scrapped playing in an LPGA event in Arkansas this weekend.

"Coming from such a high of winning a Major championship, it would be hard for me to be able to focus and fully prepare to play another event," she said.

Instead, she will arrive home in Perth on Wednesday.

"My mum and dad will be picking me up from the airport so I'm sure there will be a few tears, happy tears," she said.

Green returns as a Major winner in just her second full year on the LPGA Tour.

"Probably after a nearly 30-hour journey home it will start to sink in," she said.

"I never really imagined my first win on LPGA to be a Major.

"And I really wouldn't have said that I would have got it in my second year on Tour.

"I always thought that I would slowly progress in my career ... I was a little surprised that it has come this early in my career."

Australian golf greats Karrie Webb and Jan Stephenson hope Hannah Green's breakthrough major championship victory leads to an increase in Federal Government funding which they believe is grossly disproportionate to other sports.

The 22-year-old Green captured the Women's PGA Championship on Sunday, cementing her status as another rising Australian star in women's golf behind world No.3 and five-times LPGA Tour winner Minjee Lee.

Combined with fellow Australian stars in the men's game - Jason Day, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith - the nation's golfing stocks are healthy.

World Golf Hall of Fame member Webb hopes this success is recognised in Sport Australia's next distribution of government funding, particularly after Green became the third Australian to win a women's major.

Seven-times major winner Webb took aim at the fact established Olympic sports received significantly more funding than golf , which was only reintroduced to the Olympics in 2016 after a 112-year absence.

In Sport Australia's investment allocations for 2018/19, golf received $1.6 million while canoeing received $6.3 million and shooting $2.8 million.

Swimming topped the list at $12.7 million, followed by cycling's $11.8 million injection.

"(Golf's funding) is very low and way too much importance is placed on the Olympics," Webb told AAP.

Webb, a 41-time LPGA Tour winner, said golf deserved more funding given the sport has global appeal and weekly tournaments.

"We're playing against the best players every week," the 44-year-old said.

"Compare golf to other sports that have more funding; those sports might medal at the Olympics but that's only once every four years."

Webb's fellow Hall of Fame member Stephenson, a three-times major winner, said golf's funding relative to other sports "was horrible".

"To focus on something that happens every four years is ridiculous," Stephenson, 67, said.

"Look how well Australian golfers have done with little government funding.

"Imagine if Australian sport put a bigger focus on golf like some of the Asian countries do.

"South Korea recognised the global appeal of golf and now they are dominating the women's game."

Both Webb and Stephenson backed Perth native Green to have a stellar career and inspire young Australians to take up golf.

"The sky is the limit for Hannah; her life changed yesterday and she can go after it now," Webb said.

Added Stephenson: "Hannah probably doesn't realise just yet what that win has done for her confidence and career. I think she will go to another level."

Hannah Green has made it through her first taste of the big stage on the LPGA Tour by holding a lead on the weekend at a major championship and playing alongside long-hitting Ariya Jutanugarn, a two-time major champion and former No. 1 in the world.

The Australian Green made it through just fine. She only wishes the one-shot lead could have been a little bigger.

The 22-year-old was on the verge of building a four-shot lead when she stood over a six-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole.

The putt spun out and two holes later she walked off Hazeltine National with a two-under 70 and a one-shot lead in the Women's PGA Championship.

Jutanugarn birdied the 17th and Green three-putted from long range on the 18th for a bogey.

"Pretty disappointing to end with a three-putt. That's my first one all week," Green said.

"Even the putt on 16, that could have been a big two-shot swing, as well.

"Overall, I think I have to be really happy playing with Ariya for the first time and trying to keep up with her.

"You want to hit it as hard and far as she does."

Green is at nine-under 207 for her first 54-hole lead in an LPGA Tour event.

Jutanugarn had six birdies in her round of 68, which was slowed by a bogey from the water on the 16th when she tried to drive the green from a forward tee.

Green is staying this week with Karrie Webb, Australia's most prolific major champion.

Webb missed the cut but has stayed around with two amateurs who won her scholarship program, and she has been telling Green to embrace the moment.

"She just tells me ... you need to take it while you can," Green said.

"And I know, yes, I have thought about the outcome tomorrow come the 18th hole

"I think I just need to keep my cool and just have fun out there and embrace it.

"If it does come to me winning, I want to make sure I remember and have fun."

While it appears a two-horse race between Green and Jutanugarn, Nelly Korda (69) and Lizette Salas (68) are four shots off the lead in a share of third while Sei Young Kim, who had the low score of the day with a 67, and defending champion Sung Hyun Park (71) are at four under.

Green's countrywoman, world No.3 Minjee Lee (71) is well off the pace at three over in a share of 38th while fellow Australian Su Oh (73) is at six over.

Jason Day admits it will be a tough task to reel in runaway leader Chez Reavie in Sunday's final round of the PGA's Travelers Championship, but a sensational ball-striking display has given him hope.

Day failed to climb the leaderboard on day three at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut and he will start Sunday a distant seven shots behind the lead.

Former world No.1 Day signed for a two-under-par 68 that moved him to nine under overall.

But a sizzling 63 from American Reavie - which included a back-nine of seven-under 28 - catapulted him into the 54-hole lead at 16 under.

Reavie will take a six-shot cushion into the final day overhos fellow overnight co-leader Zack Sucher (71) and former major winner Keegan Bradley (69), who share second at 10 under.

Day shares fourth alongside Roberto Diaz (67).

Giving Day hope of making an epic run is that he is in brilliant ball-striking form.

On Saturday, the Queenslander hit 11 of 14 fairways from the tee and a whopping 16 of 18 greens in regulation.

"Honestly, I believe I'm striking it the best I have in a long time; if not the best I've ever have in a tournament," Day said.

"I've just got to get some putts rolling. I think if I can do that I can make a charge."

Unheralded American Sucher was flying atop the leaderboard during the round with a five-shot cushion.

But he endured a nightmare three-hole stretch that renowned American broadcaster Jim Nantz described as unprecedented.

At 15-under-par, Sucher led by five shots just before 4pm local time.

By 4.30pm, he was two shots behind the lead.

Sucher's implosion started when he bogeyed the 10th hole, before back-to-back double-bogeys at the 11th and 12th.

"I've never seen a five-shot lead disappear faster on the PGA Tour. It's just lightening quick," Nantz said on the TV coverage.

After Day, Marc Leishman was next best of the Australians at four under having carded a second-straight round of even-par 70.

Leishman's countryman Cameron Davis shot 69 for a three-under total.

Matt Jones rounds out the Australians but a 72 dropped the Sydney native to even par and he missed the secondary cut.

Jordan Spieth admits an embarrassing missed cut at the Travelers Championship may force him to take several weeks off before next month's British Open, as his winless drought approaches two years.

Spieth, who won the Travelers in 2017 in a play-off, posted lacklustre rounds of 73, 69 to finish at two-over-par - forcing an early exit from the US PGA Tour event in Connecticut.

Winless worldwide since capturing his third major title at the British Open in July 2017, Spieth missed his fourth cut on the US PGA Tour this season courtesy of poor ball-striking at TPC River Highlands.

Spieth hit just 50 per cent of his greens in regulation in two rounds and 18 of 28 fairways.

The Travelers is played at the birdie-friendly TPC River Highlands and, at 6,841 yards, it is the second-shortest course on the PGA Tour.

"I'm not anywhere near where I want it to be," 11-time PGA Tour winner Spieth said on Friday.

"I need to gain significant control of the golf ball tee to green."

Asked why his ball-striking was off, two-time Australian Open winner Spieth said he was undergoing "drastic" swing changes that were difficult to commit to under tournament pressure.

Spieth has been coached by US-based Australian Cameron McCormick since his early teens.

"My iron and wedge play is ... way below my normal standard, and so that needs to significantly improve," Spieth said.

"The things I've been working on are so drastic that it's just really difficult to try and play through.

"On and around greens, I'm in a better place than I've been in the last couple years going into the British (Open).

"Hopefully, a little reset button helps and (I can) nail down what I've been working on."

Having plummeted to 29th on the world rankings, former No.1 Spieth said he was leaning towards taking a month off before the British Open at Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush, which is the final major of the year.

The only tournament before the UK major Spieth would consider playing is the John Deere Classic in the US, which he won in 2013 and 2015.

"I'm not sure yet; I may or may not play the John Deere," Spieth said.

"I'm kind of up in in the air right now.

"I'll get some time off here. I don't know how much yet, but (I will) get away from the game and then try to finish the year strong."

Australian Hannah Green keeps getting out of tough spots, and it's taken her to a place she has never been.

Green twice escaped trouble with unlikely par saves, including one shot she holed from off the green, and made four birdies for a three-under 69 that delivered her a three-shot lead into the weekend at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in Chaska, Minnesota.

It's the first time she has held the 36-hole lead in her second year on the LPGA Tour.

The 22-year-old Western Australian made one bogey over the 36 holes at Hazeltine National, which is one of the strongest tests of the year.

Ariya Jutanugarn, a two-time major champion, closed within one shot until a series of misplays on the back nine. She had another 70 and sits three shots behind Green at four-under.

"Even when you play this type of golf at just a regular event, you're pretty proud of yourself, but this week especially," Green said.

"I've never put myself in this position in any event, so to be doing it this week at such a great venue definitely shows things are going the right way.

"I've had some luck going my way. I do hope that continues."

Green finished day two at seven-under 137.

Defending champion Sung Hyun Park (71) of South Korea and New Zealander Lydia Ko (70) were four shots behind, and one behind the second-placed Thai 23-year-old Jutanugarn.

Fifteen players remained under par after two rounds, with the cut at five-over 149.

The only Australians to join tournament leader Green above the cut were Minjee Lee (four-over) and Su Oh (five-over). Their compatriots who missed the cut included Karrie Webb (six-over), Katherine Kirk (10-over), Sarah Kemp (12-over) and Wendy Doolan (23-over).

Meanwhile, Michelle Wie not only made it to the tee, she played all 18 holes with a right wrist injury that doesn't seem to be getting any better. She managed only nine pars and no birdies in her round of 82.

"Even on the worst day, it's still great being out here," Wie said.

"I still had fun today, just stuff is hard. Hazeltine is hard. I just was overly optimistic about how I could play this week and the status of my wrist."

After 36 holes, Australian Green was the talk of Hazeltine.

She thought luck was on her side when she holed a short-sided bunker shot for birdie on the par-five seventh near the end of her opening round. Friday (Saturday AEST) was even better.

She didn't notice the water right of the 12th green during practice rounds. She took a penalty drop, and with the pin on a shelf in the back left of the green, her biggest concern was getting it close without the risk of a big number.

"If I landed it too far there was a possibility of it going over the back. I didn't want to leave myself with another chip to then possibly make bogey or double at worse," Green said.

"I had to land it perfectly and I guess I did. I knew it was going to be close but I didn't think it had the chance of going in. I really wasn't really watching it going into the hole. I just heard the crowd roar.

"I just laughed because with the hole-out on seven yesterday and with the hole-out today, it's really going my way."

After a missed chance at birdie on the par-five 15th, Green was in trouble again on the 16th hole, the signature hole at Hazeltine. Her shot took a surprising kick to the right, leaving the ball between clumps of grass. She got that up-and-down for par and was on her way.

Green is in her second full year on the LPGA Tour, having won three times on the Symetra Tour in 2017 to earn her card.

She had such a successful amateur career in Australia that she was awarded the Karrie Webb Scholarship in 2015, and one of the perks was coming to the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster.

The 44-year-old Webb is Australia's most prolific champion with seven majors as part of her 41 titles on the LPGA Tour. Webb, the only player to win five different LPGA Tour majors, first came to America under a similar program started by Greg Norman, and now has one in place for female amateurs.

Green swam, played tennis and golf as a teen before devoting her time to golf when she was 15. She wasn't even playing golf when Webb was winning five out of eight majors, giving her the career Grand Slam at the quickest rate.

About the time Green realised she might have a future in golf, Webb already was in the Hall of Fame.

"As soon as I had the chance to come to the U.S. Open, that's when Karrie was my idol," Green said.

"I feel like all other Australian golfers have her as an idol. She had Greg Norman as her idol and had a similar scholarship. She's done that for us. I'm really grateful that she's given so much to so many people."

Marc Leishman says a long par putt he drained on the last hole will ease the pressure on his round two chase of the leaders at the US PGA Tour's Travelers Championship.

Leishman was hot throughout his first round at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut and ensured he finished just two shots off the pace, having buried a 27-foot par putt on the 18th.

World No.23 Leishman signed for a four-under-par 66, while Australian Open champion Abraham Ancer, from Mexico, was among six players who shot 64 to top the leaderboard at six under.

"It's nice when you can hole a putt like that. You can (start the round two chase) that little bit quicker," Leishman said.

"I thought I drove it really well; the best I've driven it in a long time," Leishman said.

"That gave me chances going into the greens. You can attack flags from the fairway.

"I (also) putted great; I made a really good putt on (the ninth) for par and then that really good putt on 18.

"You always feel you could have been one or two (strokes) better, but overall, I'm happy with the score."

Leishman enjoyed a solid day of ball-striking, finding 12 of 14 fairways from the tee and 12 of 18 greens in regulation.

The 2012 Travelers winner is confident he can climb the leaderboard on day two at the 6,841-yard TPC River Highlands.

"It's a fun golf course and it's in unbelievable condition; hopefully the sun comes out and can dry it out," he said.

Talented Norwegian youngster Viktor Hovland, who has employed veteran Australia caddie Shay Knight, made a solid start to his professional debut with a three-under 67.

Hovland was the low amateur at last week's US Open at Pebble Beach, where he broke a 59-year-old record held by Jack Nicklaus for the lowest ever 72-hole score by an amateur in the championship.

After Leishman, Matt Jones (69) was next best of the Australians at one under, while Jason Day threatened to go low but eventually signed for a 70.

Former world No.1 Day is joined at even par by fellow Australians Curtis Luck, Cameron Davis and Aaron Baddeley.

Queenslanders Cameron Smith (71) and Rod Pampling (72) finished the round over par.