Women’s Open first-round leaderboard
-5 C Hull (Eng); -4 N Korda (US), R Yin (Chn); -3 A Lee (US), L Vu (US), M-H Lee (Kor), J Shin (Kor), P Tavatanakit (Tha), M Saigo (Jpn); -2 H-J Kim (Kor), M Osato (Jpn)
Selected others: -1 G Hall (Eng); E L Woad (Eng*); +1 L Maguire (Ire), B Law (Eng); +5 C Matthew (Sco)
England’s Charley Hull shot a superb five-under-par 67 to lead the Women’s Open after the opening round at St Andrews.
The 28-year-old hit four birdies on the back nine at at the Old Course and leads by one stroke from American Nelly Korda and China’s Ruoning Yin.
Hull is seeking her first major title after finishing runner-up in both the Women’s Open and Women’s US Open last year.
“I’ve been working on my game a lot this year and I feel confident,” Hull told BBC Sport.
“I’m trying to enjoy every minute – it’s not every day you get to play St Andrews so I’m just grateful to be out there, having fun and inspiring young kids.”
Hull shone in a strong group, playing alongside world number one Korda and defending Women’s Open champion Lilia Vu.
The Briton reached the turn at one under after two birdies and a bogey before a sparkling back nine in windy conditions saw her surpass Yin, who had held the lead for much of the day.
“I saw it as a challenge out there and when it’s a challenge, it’s actually really fun,” added Hull.
Yin, who won the 2023 Women’s PGA Championship, made seven birdies but also three bogeys in her four-under 68.
Two-time major winner Korda had five birdies and one bogey.
Vu carded a 69 and is two strokes behind Hull in a group with Andrea Lee, Patty Tavatanakit, Lee Mi-hyang, Mao Saigo and Jenny Shin.
Hull’s compatriot Georgia Hall hit an eagle at her final hole to finish on one under, while English amateur Lottie Woad made an even-par 72 containing three birdies and three bogeys.
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