India's top golfer Smriti Mehra found it hard to cope with the windy conditions and carded three over par 76 in the opening round of the USD 80,000 Hong Kong Ladies Masters in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Mehra, who has returned to the golfing scene after a year-long injury that required two surgeries to her left wrist, was tied 14th at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau's North Course (par-73 course).

The 32-year-old long hitter, began with a bogey on the first and fourth but restored balance with birdies on the eighth and 10th. An immediately following double bogey on 11th and yet another bogey on 13th, however, put paid to her hard work. She also birdied on 14th and 15th before double bogeying on 16th.

Others sharing the place with Mehra were Chinese Hong Lian Wu and Li Ying Ye, Maria Priscila of Brazil [Images] and Hiroko Tanabe of Japan [Images].

Mehra, who played on the USLPGA Tour between 2001-2004, had damaged her wrist at a tournament last February in the United States.

China's Zhong Xiao Long and 2006 USLPGA rookie Teresa Lu of Chinese Taipei posted identical 4-under 69 to share a one-stroke lead.

Thai amateur Pornanong Phatlum gave a good account of herself to match the professionals by returning a score of 3-under 70 to sit on third place, while another Chinese player Yang Hong Mei is in fourth place with a score of 71.