Lee leads the way at Carnoustie after run of birdies

Lee recorded a seven-under-par round of 65 that included only birdies and no dropped shots to leave the South Korean as the early pacesetter after day one at Carnoustie.

“I was my feel really good today, also my putting was good,” Lee said.

Lee’s nearest challenger is Brittany Lincicome, who produced a fine late flourish as she carded a five-under-par 67.

The American was even par heading into the final seven holes after carding two birdies and two bogeys, but she finished with four birdies and an eagle three at the par-five 15th to leap up into second place.

Four players share third spot with Angela Stanford, Amy Yang, Caroline Masson and Sophie Gustafson each carding rounds of 68 despite all dropping shots late on.

American Paula Creamer is one of eight players who shot a three-under par 69 to lie in joint seventh place, although she might have hoped to be further up the standings after scoring two eagles – on the par-fives at the sixth and 17th.

However, she also carded a double-bogey six at the seventh and a bogey at the 18th to leave her four shots off leader Lee.

The leading Britons on the opening day were Scotland’s Catriona Matthew and Becky Brewerton of Wales, who were both on two under par.

England’s Melissa Reid, who is currently fourth on the Ladies European Tour money list, shot a two-over-par 75 after carding two double-bogeys and three bogeys along with four birdies.

Yani Tseng also has work to do after signing for a one-under-par round of 71 as she looks to become the first person to defend the British Open title since Sherri Steinhauer in 1999.

The world No 1 from Taiwan, who has six victories already this year, was two under at the turn but dropped shots at the 14th and 16th saw her slip back to level par before finishing with a birdie on the 18th.

Cleckheaton’s Georgina Simpson shot a one-under 71, while Leeds’s Kiran Matharu struggled with a 75.

Dorset’s Hayley Davis shot a stunning six-under par 66 to win the English girls’ championship by eight shots at Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire.

Her final round included back-to-back eagles and she signed it off with a real crowd-pleaser, rolling an impressive putt into the hole on the 18th for a last birdie.

The runner-up was Yorkshire’s Sophie Godley, the Lindrick golfer played the final round in two-under 70 to move up the leaderboard. Rotherham’s Olivia Winning was fifth.