Aug2 Women golf rnd 1

By Jonathan Greathead, TG Staff Writer

World number one Lorena Ochoa fired a six-under-par first round to take the early lead at the Women’s British Open at St Andrews.

The 25-year-old Mexican posted a 67 at the famous links venue, the first time the event has ever been played there.

Ochoa opened with four straight pars before picking up birdies at the fifth and two more at the eighth and ninth to go out in 33. She picked up three more shots on the back nine to take a three-stroke lead over Japan’s Ai Miyazato and England’s Rebecca Hudson.

Recently troubled teen sensation Michelle Wie looked to be back on track after her first 10 holes, with the Hawaiian-born American making three birdies. But bogeys at the 11th, 14th and the 16th saw the 17-year-old slip back to level par.

Natalie Gulbis, who won her maiden tour title last week at the Evian Masters, had an eventful day in Fife. The American made four birdies on the back nine, but bogeys at the second and the 11th, as well as a double at the par-four 16th saw her finish alongside Wie with a 73.

Picture by Getty Images

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