Hull leads British charge

South African Ashleigh Buhai shot a seven-under-par opening 65 to lead the AIG Women’s British Open. However, home favourites Charlie Hull, Georgia Hall and Bronte Law gave the crowd something to cheer about on day one at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire.

Charley Hull shot an error free round of 67 whilst defending champion Georgia Hall got of to a steady start with a three under 69. Japan’s Hinako Shibuno and American Danielle Kang both opened with a 66, and joining Hull on five under were Megan Khang of the USA, Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn and Korean Sung Hyun Park.

“I walked to the first tee and I got so much applause from everybody, it was so nice to be there, and I was actually quite nervous, so I was relieved to hit the fairway. It's already the highlight of my year.” said the 23 year-old Hall after her round. The world number thirty will be happy with her start as she attempts to defend the title she won last year at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Hull, who has been a member of Woburn for a decade, was out in a steady one-under 35 but three consecutive birdies from the tenth tee saw her race up the leaderboard and she finished in style with a birdie at the last to finish on five under par.

“I feel like I've been playing well all year” said Hull, “I've just struggled to trust myself sometimes, so that's where I suppose I haven't been scoring. But today I just went out there and trusted myself, and I feel like I'm in a good mindset.”

The Marquess course at Woburn was playing long after the rain earlier in week but the greens were receptive and this made for good scoring conditions. The course will start to dry as the forecast is set fair for Friday and it will be interesting to see how the players cope as the greens firm up.