02 August 2019

Brits in the hunt after impressive opening day at Woburn

Charley Hull and Georgia Hall both shot impressive opening rounds of 67 and 69 respectively to put themselves in contention for the Women’s British Open at Woburn golf club.

Local girl Hull, 23, finished day one at -5, only two shots off the South African leader, Ashleigh Buhai, while defending champion, Georgia Hall, 23, played a bogey-free round to finish the day -3.

Despite controversy surrounding the quick turnaround from the Evian Championships last week, 45 players shot rounds under 72 including world number one, Ko Jin-Young. The South Korean superstar shot a round of 68 to close the day at -4 and put herself firmly in the hunt for her third successive major title.

Other Brits on the course yesterday included British number one, Bronte Law who played a steady round to finish -2.

Laura Davies, however, will be less likely to look fondly on the day after finishing with a round of 10 over par. The 55-year-old five time major champion will be hoping for a change in fortunes today in order to avoid missing the cut.

A day to forget for the five time major champion (PA Images)

Bronte Law teed off at 7:14 this alongside Cristie Kerr of the USA and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew. The top ranked Brit started strongly with a birdie on the first and has so far backed this up with birdies on four and ten to bring her five under par, just two shots off the lead.

Hall teed off alongside Brooke M. Henderson from Canada and Japan’s  Mamiko Higa at 7:36 and made an impressive start with a birdie on both the second and eighth to now sit at -5.  

Overnight leader Ashleigh Buhai has not yet taken to the course but has so far been joined at -7 by America's Lizette Salas and Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand. 

Charley Hull can enjoy a lie-in before the later tee time of 12:16 when she will be accompanied by Australia's Hannah Green and Shanshan Feng of China. 

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