Sweden’s Jessica Karlsson fired an opening round of 63 on the first day of the Amundi German Masters at Golf & Country Club Seddiner See.
The 29-year-old, who began her round from the 10th tee, carded a bogey-free day with six birdies in her first nine holes and three birdies in her final five holes.
And after producing her career-best round on the LET to hold the lead on nine-under-par, Karlsson is enjoying the week in Germany so far.
“It was one of those days where everything went right,” said the Swede, who has her boyfriend Pontus Lundqvist on the bag.
“I hit a lot of fairways, I hit 17 greens and from there I holed some great putts, so everything was with me today.
“I think there were some nice pin positions today, that you could really attack. I have played well in the last couple of events, but I was just not holing putts, so I was waiting for that to happen and today it did.
“It was so much fun with Pontus on the bag, I’m having fun on the course with him! It is true that he has a back injury, but he is using the trolley this week.”
Five players are in a share of second place three shots back on six-under-par including German duo Leonie Harm and Esther Henseleit.
It was an excellent start for Harm who began her day with three birdies and one eagle on the front nine to make the turn in 31 (-5).
And despite a dropped shot on the 15th, the German rolled in back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17 to reach six-under.
“I got off to a really good start,” said the 24-year-old. “My front nine was pretty nice and everything worked out well, I started struggling a little bit on the back.
“I’m really proud of myself that I got it back coming in with two birdies on 16 and 17 to get it back to a relatively low round. I’m happy with that.
“It’s exciting to play in Germany, I haven’t done so in a long time – 2019 was the last tournament I played here. It’s super cool to be back. It’s just the start so I hope that I can continue to move on like that.”
While Henseleit, who began her round on the 10th, made the turn in 34 (-2) thanks to two birdies, two bogeys and an eagle.
A birdie on the fourth followed by three consecutively on holes six to eight ensured the 2022 Magical Kenya Ladies Open champion had a good start to the week.
“It was good, I played well,” said Henseleit. “I hit my irons really well, so I had a lot of chances for birdie. I actually missed a few short birdie putts which were two to four metres, but I made a nice eagle on 16 and holed some long putts too.
“I missed a couple of drives on the two holes where I made bogey. It was good to get the shots back and get my round back going.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it out here and have a good time and celebrate that we’re back in Germany and play my first time as a professional here. It’s good to see some familiar faces and I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
England’s Gabriella Cowley also signed for a round of 66 (-6), after rolling in three birdies apiece on the front and back nine.
“I played really well. It was bogey-free with six birdies,” she said. “It was a really good day to be honest. I played with Liz [Young] and Flic [Johnson], we’re all friends so it was pretty nice.
“My dad hasn’t caddied for me for the last few weeks, so he was back out this week and it seemed to work well. I will give him credit today; I was glad that he was able to come out and it is always enjoyable to have him with me.”
Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord also produced a bogey-free round of 66 to be in a tie for second place, while Czechia’s Klara Spilkova made seven birdies and one bogey for her round of six-under.
“It was really warm today! I played alright, the first three or four holes I hit a couple of wrong clubs as the ball was flying really far today,” said the five-time LET winner.
“I hit a couple of shots over the green, but luckily I saved them and made par and then rolled in a few birdies and started to get a bit of confidence.”
LET winner Spilkova explained: “It was very solid. Everything pretty much went well apart from the bogey on the last. That’s golf and it happens.
“The last couple of weeks have been good for my confidence to play under pressure and be in contention. I’m always grateful to be in a position like this.”
Finland’s Elina Nummenpaa, who produced an albatross in her round, and France’s Lucie Malchirand are tied for seventh place on five-under-par.
One shot further back in a share of ninth place are 12 players including Swedish duo Linn Grant and Maja Stark, who are first and second on the 2022 Race to Costa del Sol.
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