Women's British Open: Seven times major winner Juli Inkster benefitted from a tip by Australian coach Ian Triggs to fire a seven-under-par 65 for a one shot lead in the women's British Open at Sunningdale today.
The 48-year-old American, so frustrated by her recent form that she nearly pulled out of the tournament, had a flawless first round of five birdies and an eagle at the 273-yard ninth where she drove to the green and holed an 18 foot putt.
Inkster was a shot ahead of a group of seven players that included England's Johanna Head, Americans Stacy Prammanasudh and Laura Diaz, South Koreans Shin Ji-yai and Oh Ji-young and Japanese pair Momoko Ueda and Yuri Fudoh.
Defending champion Lorena Ochoa of Mexico had five birdies in her first 15 holes before dropping shots at the 15th and 16th for a 69.
A session with the renowned Triggs at the start of the week helped spark Inkster into form.
"I finished ninth at the Evian Masters (in France) last week, but that was because I putted well," she said.
"Then I flew over with Karrie Webb from Geneva on Monday and Ian's her coach, so I asked if she thought he could watch me hit some balls. He's a great guy and he sorted out my posture."
World number one Ochoa, who led from start to finish in winning at St Andrews last year, was not too concerned to be three off the lead.
"It's the first day so I'm not worried," the Mexican said. "Hopefully I will shoot a better round tomorrow."
Ueda, the 22-year-old rising Japanese star, highlighted her 66 with rare back-to-back eagles. She drove the green at the par four ninth and then holed a 20-foot putt at the long 10th for a three.
Annika Sorenstam, playing in her last major in her retirement season, was three over par after six holes and did well to recover for a 72. Australian Webb also had a 72.
"It just seems that I cannot put 18 holes together," Sorenstam said. "It's just so disappointing..."
England's Karen Stupples, the last winner at Sunningdale four years ago, again showed her liking for the course. Helped by four straight birdies from the turn, she shot 67.
Cork's Claire Coughlan-Ryan opened with a five-over par 77.
