The New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko finished strongly to be in a tie for 14th after the opening round of the British Open at Royal Troon.
Lydia Ko in Scotland Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ko was three over par through 13 holes, but then picked up three birdies and a bogey as she closed with a one over par 72 on a windy day at the Scottish course.
Only three players broke par with American Amy Olsen holding a three shot lead at four under par.
The players not only had to contend with the links course but also strong winds with some players saying at times they had trouble just standing.
Ko also found it tough.
"Trying to keep it in play was probably the biggest goal today and I felt like I hit the ball pretty solid so I wasn't in a heap of trouble."
"It was nice to finish with a birdie on 18 as I was kind of getting a little frustrated but you've just got to stay patient out here and I felt like I did that."
"Hitting more than half your day into the wind meant I didn't pull the driver out until 13 and I said thank-you god as I let one fly and it'll probably be one of the rare times I'm going to hit my driver 320," said Ko.
Wind and rain are forecast for the next three days.
World number one Jin Young Ko of South Korea isn't playing the tournament, while number two Danielle Kang of the United States is five over par.
The British Open is the first women's major of the year.
Ko's best result at the tournament is tied for third in 2015.
Meanwhile Ryan Fox is tied for 13th after the first round of the Wales Open in Newport.
Fox fired a one under par 70 which included five birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey.
He is four shots behind the co-leaders Jordan Smith of England and Connor Syme of Scotland.
And Danny Lee has made a good start to the latest US PGA Tour event near Boston.
Lee fired an opening round five under par 66 to be tied for 12th, two shots behind the leaders.
