Karen Stupples takes first day honours

Briton Karen Stupples carded a seven-under-par 65 to lead by two shots after the first round of the Women's British Open on Thursday.

The 31-year-old, who claimed her first victory in an LPGA tournament in Arizona in March, produced a bogey-free, seven-birdie round to start the final major of the women's season.

She finished two shots ahead of South Korea's Lee Jung Yeon, while defending champion Annika Sorenstam was in the group in third place on 68.

The home support was an extra spur for Stupples as she set her sights on ending a long British drought in the flagship event.

It is 13-years since England's Penny Grice-Whittaker claimed a title that gained major status just three years ago.

But Stupples arrived as one of the favourites having finished fourth in last week's Evian Masters in France, raising her season's earnings to $421,050 for 12th place on the LPGA money list.

"I only used my driver four times," said Stupples, who hit a couple of the long holes, the first and tenth, in two shots. "It was a strategic round that worked really well and I couldn't be happier."

It is only the second time that Stupples has led after a first round and she hopes to improve on her first experience. "I shot 64 in a tournament in Ohio in my rookie (1999) season and was scared stiff," she recalled.

"The next day I went out and topped the first two shots."

The highlight for Lee, who was born in London, was a chip-in from 18-feet for an eagle at the first in a round that ended with two birdies.

"My Dad actually played here when we lived in London 25-years ago," said the 25-year-old. "So it was very interesting today."

World number one Sorenstam, aiming for a sixth win and second major of the year, had the odd stumble, but seven birdies more than made amends.

"It was a little up and down, but 68 is perfect for a first round," she observed.

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