Annabel Dimmock, Liz Young and Laura Fuenfstueck share the lead after the first round of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
The trio shot six under par 65s at Golf Barrière in Deauville on Thursday and are one shot clear of Johanna Gustavsson and Meghan MacLaren.
Fuenfstueck set the pace with four straight birdies from her first hole, the 10th and added another at the short 17th to make the turn in five under 31. She dropped a shot at the first but made further gains at the second and fourth.
“I’m obviously super pleased with a low one today. It’s not easy out there and there are some slopey greens, which give you a lot of slopey putts. I tried to stay on the correct side and give myself lots of uphill putts. I hit it close a few times so I’m really happy with six-under today,” she said.
Playing later in the afternoon, Young, the 2022 VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open champion, holed a bunker shot from a plugged lie on the eighth and chipped in on 11 in a round containing seven birdies and one bogey, to join Fuenfstueck at the top of the leaderboard.
“I was really pleased. The whole of the summer it’s been close but not been quite there. I’ve had a few lessons with my coach on the irons, so hopefully I’m on the right track now,” she said.
Dimmock, the 2019 Jabra Ladies Open champion, made it a three-way tie at the top when she fired an eagle on her first hole, the 10th, five birdies and a bogey in a superb 65.
“Everything was pretty good today. I drove it well, my irons were decent, so there was no weakness in my game. I don’t think I missed a green,” said Dimmock.
“Although it’s playing longer, for me personally, it’s playing easier. The fairways are wider because it’s a lot softer. Last year the course was a lot drier so there were running out areas. I can hit drivers everywhere here whereas last year I wasn’t able to do that.
“I’m enjoying life a lot. My boyfriend is amazing and treats me well and we do everything together. He’s getting into golf and we play together. We’ve just got a lovely new buggy at home which is really fun. I’m enjoying the life of being a golfer. I work hard, but enjoy working hard at the same time. I’m staying in my own lane and that’s why I’m so happy.”
World no.5 Céline Boutier, a member of last week’s European Solheim Cup team, started her pursuit of a second Lacoste Ladies Open de France title with a one-under 70, to sit in a share of 29th position. She will start her second round at 8.15am on Friday.
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