Casandra Alexander opened with a three-under-par 68 on Thursday to be in a share of eighth after the first round of the Ladies European Tour’s Lacoste Ladies Open de France at Golf Barriere in Deauville, France.

Alexander, who won her maiden title on the LET earlier this year, made two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine on a chilly day, but she was flawless on the back nine with birdies on the 10th, 15th and 18th.

She ended the first round three shots off the lead, which was held by Alessio Nobilio of Italy, who had six birdies and no bogeys in her round. She led by one from Helen Briem of Germany, and there was a five-way share of third on four-under-par. Alexander was part of a 10-way share of eighth on three-under.

“I’m very happy about it, I played very solidly,” said Nobilio, who is a rookie on the LET. “I think I hit 17 greens and holed a few long putts, which helped. The key was staying patient out there because it wasn’t easy with the wind in the afternoon.

“It’s very tough to adapt to different courses throughout the year and I think I did a good job during the practice rounds of figuring out where the good spots were and that was helpful today.”

Danielle du Toit battled her way to a three-over-par 74 in the first round.