Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox feels he's finally beginning to fit in among the best players in world golf.

Fox tees off at the lucrative HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai this afternoon, his first World Golf Championship event.

Fox says by playing two majors this year and being on the European tour, he's had the opportunity to mix with the top players a lot more.

"The intimidation factor's not there. I feel a bit more comfortable, feel like my golf game backs up pretty well against these guys and I've still got a lot to learn to get to that top level, but I'm not as far away as I thought I was at the start of the year."

Fox tees off at 2.20pm in Shanghai with fellow kiwi Michael Hendry underway 10 minutes earlier.

Meanwhile Lydia Ko gets her first round underway at 2.55pm in the latest LPGA tournament in Kuala Lumpur.