Evian Championship: Gemma Dryburgh shares lead after day one

Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh shares the lead after the opening round of the Evian Championship in France.

Dryburgh carded an impressive seven-under 64 to end the first round at Evian Resort Golf Club level with Thailand’s Paphangkorn Tavatanakit and Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad.

Dryburgh, 31, opened up with a trio of birdies after starting on the back nine before making further inroads on the 17th, 18th, second and seventh at the fourth women’s major of the season.

“I’m putting well, just seeing the lines really well. My putting coach, Nick Soto, has been with me this week so I think the work has kind of paid off,” said Dryburgh.

“Also I struck the ball well, obviously no dropped shots so that was nice to do around here. It’s not an easy course but I have some really good memories from here last year, finishing top 10.

“I think a lot of the girls have been here quite a few times. This is my third time playing it as a major, played the qualifier years ago. Just having seen it a few times really helps.

“I think this is my caddie’s seventh Evian so that experience helps a lot, just knowing where to miss sometimes and where the best putts are. I think that can really help.”

England’s Georgia Hall is five shots off the lead in a tie for 21st, alongside home favourite Celine Boutier, last year’s winner.

American world number one Nelly Korda – who missed last week’s Aramco Series event in London after being bitten by a dog – also carded a two-under 69.

English pair Bronte Law and Jodi Ewart Shadoff went round in a four-over 75 – though Ewart Shadoff did win a Porsche sports car by hitting a hole-in-one at the 16th.

Compatriot Charley Hull had a disappointing round to finish on an eight-over 79 and is down in 130th place.