Hudson dips under par as Broch Larsen leads in Sweden

She shot a one-under-par 72 thanks to birdies at the fourth and sixth holes, the advantage of which was halved by a bogey at seven.

Cleckheaton’s Goergina Simpson struggled to a 79 which included six bogeys.

Denmark’s Nicole Broch Larsen opened with a 68 at Vasatorps Golf Club to enjoy a one-stroke lead over compatriot Nanna Koerstz Madsen.

The 22-year-old from Hillerød compiled eight birdies including four in five holes from the 13th and three bogeys in fine conditions on Thursday morning.

She now feels ready to make amends for her heartbreaking loss to Hannah Burke at the Tipsport Golf Masters in Pilsen three weeks ago.

The former LET Access Series player said: “I really like the course and I feel good and I think I have something to show people after the last tournament in the Czech Republic. I’ve been working hard the last few weeks to get here and be in contention again so it’s nice that it worked. I’m trying to keep it up for the next three days.”

Broch Larsen and her fellow Danish players benefited from a practice session at Vasatorps Golf Club in April and Koerstz Madsen, the LET’s leading rookie, has already played at the course four times.

Sharing third place on three-under-par 70 are Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg, England’s Charlotte Thompson, Scotland’s Kylie Walker and the recent ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters champion Beth Allen, from the USA.

The defending champion Dewi-Claire Schreefel and Dame Laura Davies were part of a group of 11 players in a tie for seventh place on two under par.