Charley Hull began her day in Singapore with a "tiny" 5K run and then fired an opening 3-under 69 at the HSBC Women's World Championship to sit one shot behind leader A Lim Kim.

On Friday, she'll push it to 12K.

For those who might question why she'd run so much before a long, steamy round in Singapore, Hull said if doesn't train in the morning, she'll be miserable all day.

"I actually find that I swell more on the golf course if I don't run," said Hull. "I said to my caddie, yesterday morning I didn't train before I played and I was really swollen out there, and today I wasn't. Gets my heart pumping and makes me feel loose and like I'm one step ahead of everyone.

South Korea's Kim, who won the season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, opened with a 68 in swirling wind. Her five birdies on the day tied the most in the field. Hull and Kim were the only players to break 70 in the opening round, which featured gusts up to 22 mph.

"I love consistent, strong wind," said Kim. "I love that situation, but swirling wind is really very, very hard for me."

Hull joined Amy Yang as the only two players in the field to go bogey-free on Thursday. This marks Hull's first appearance in Singapore since 2022. She typically only plays in one Asian event per swing, she said, because it's usually so hot. Hulls finds her time in the gym also helps her recover more quickly from jet lag.

Known more for her smoking at tournaments than her running, Hull has never really cared what other people think. Though she does, admittedly, hate the fact she smokes.

"I think at the end of the day, you have one life and you have to live it how you want to live it," said Hull. "Like people's opinions don't pay my bills. I've always lived like that."

World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul and LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko opened with 71s. Defending champion Hannah Green shot 75.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA star Charley Hull contends early in Singapore after 'tiny' 5K