Ashleigh Buhai ended the first round of the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course in St Andrews in a share of 18th after her opening level-par 72 put her four strokes off the lead.
Buhai made four birdies and four bogeys in her round, and she shared 18th with 13 other players. Up front, it was Charley Hull who started best, with her five-under 67 giving her a one-stroke edge over China’s Ruoning Yin and world number one Nelly Korda of the United States.
There were six players on three-under-par in a share of fourth, including defending champion, Lilia Vu of the United States. Two players were on two-under in a share of 10th, and Lydia Ko of New Zealand, amongst a group of six players, was on one-under in a share of 12th ahead of Buhai.
“It was loads of fun out there today,” said Hull, who finished fifth at last week’s ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open.
“Actually, before my round I was in there watching it on the TV when I saw the scores, and I thought how is she [Ruoning Yin] four-under par; that was an unbelievable score. I’d take that now because it was gusting a lot on the range.
“I said to my coach, feels like they could call it at any minute because I don’t know how the balls are staying on the greens. To go out there, shoot five-under, play pretty solidly, it was a lot of fun.”
Casandra Alexander opened with a one-over-par 73 to be in a share of 32nd, while Lee-Anne Pace was in a share of 48th. Paula Reto battled to a five-over 77 and was down in 99th place.
