Ashleigh Buhai starts well at the Women & # 39; s British Open

MILTON KEYNES, England – Ashleigh Buhai from South Africa shot a seven-under 65 to take a lead in the first round of the Women & # 39; s British Open on Thursday.

Buhai finished just before Hinako Shibuno of Japan and Danielle Kang of the United States, who each had a bogey in rounds of 66.

"In my last few tournaments I have had three good ones rounds and one not so good round, so I hope this is the week that I can do four good rounds, ”said Buhai, whose best finish this year is 11th. "The last couple of weeks I've been trying to just stay calm and keep everything under control, and it seems to help."

Top-ranking Jin Young Ko, looking for her third major title of the year after winning Last week's Evian championship in France was well positioned after a 68.

"Me I'm not tired yet, "said Ko. "I will do my best for this week, and then I just played great today, so I'm just happy."

Buhai, who has never won on the L.P.G.A. Tour, made her only bogey on the par-5 11th, but reacted with consecutive birdies on nos. 14, 15 and 16. Her best previous British Open finish was a draw for the 30th in 2017.

“Me had a little wiggle in the middle of my round, and to finish with three birdies and get strong – I had a goal when I saw that the lead was six to get to seven, so I ran like a 30-foot the 16th hole and that brought me to seven, "she said.

Charley Hull surprised fans with a bogey-free 67 on her home Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club. Hull, who suffered from food poisoning Evian last week Championship, showed no sustained adverse effects.

"Sometimes it's your own golf course because you know where to hit it and where to hit it," Hull said. "Like today , for example, the 13th hole, it is the first time I have hit that fairway for about three years, d us I was quite happy with it. "

Kang, who is the Ladies P.G.A. won Championship two years ago for her only major, missed the cut at the Evian Championship last week, allowing her to arrive early for the second of back-to-back majors.

"There may be a bit of a disguised blessing that I missed the cut last week because I actually came here on Saturday and I got a lot of rest, I played a few rounds," Kang said. "I love it to be properly prepared and to compete in the right way. "

At Hull at five, the second Sung Hyun Park, Moriya Jutanugarn and Megan Khang.

The United States Women & # 39; s Open Champion Jeongeun Lee6 and Ariya Jutanugarn shot 68 together with Ko. The defending champion, Georgia Hall, opened with a 69.

“I think it's important that I record all emotions and really enjoy them "I loved it there today," said Hall. "I just loved having so much support."

Lexi Thompson, whose quirky passport after the Evian championship caused a delay for a van with golf bags for nearly 40 players to Woburn, opened with a 71.