Jaclyn Sweeney in Australian Open hunt

Jaclyn Sweeney during a January practice session at IMG Academies. Photo by Paul Videla/Bradenton Herald

Bradenton's Jaclyn Sweeney is off to a good start in her Ladies European Tour debut.

The Andover, Mass. native is tied for 24th after opening the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open with a 1-under par 72.

Sweeney, who turned pro following the U.S. Women's Amateur to forgo her senior year at Arizona State, is five shots behind first-round co-leaders Jiyai Shin and Jennifer Song.

Sweeney opened tentatively, making the turn in 2-over 38.

But she quickly righted the ship with a birdie on No. 10 at the par-73 Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne.

That birdie was one of three on the back nine.

Stay tuned shortly for an additional post about her second round tee time, and a look inside the first round numbers.