Charley Hull sets pace at Women's Open, Leona Maguire six shots back

Charley Hull's bid to go one better than last year at the AIG Women's Open got off to an excellent start as a birdie on the final hole carried her into the lead after the first round, with Leona Maguire six shots back after day one.

A runner-up at Walton Heath 12 months ago, Hull defied chilly and gusty conditions at the Old Course at St Andrews as she signed for a five-under 67 after finishing with a flourish.

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Hull was initially wayward with just three greens in regulation in her opening eight holes but she gradually gained in fluency and a birdie on the ninth meant she was in credit at the turn.

Four more birdies on the back nine followed, including on the final hole thanks to a fine chip and putt, to give her a one-shot advantage over world number one Nelly Korda and China's Ruoning Yin.

"I would take that 100%," she said, after a round that ended just before 7.30pm on Thursday. "I'm happy with that score, and I'm just looking forward to going out tomorrow and being patient again.

"I was watching it on the TV when I saw the scores, and I thought, how is (Yin) four-under-par? That was an unbelievable score. To go out there, shoot five-under, play pretty solid, it was a lot of fun.

"I'd say the last three holes were a bit easier. (The wind) dropped. But making the turn it was really, really strong. It was very strong. It got really cold there as well.

"I've always been patient, and I hit some great, great shots. I'm obviously on home soil, so it's great to see people out there. I've got a long way to go, but I'm just going to enjoy every minute of it."

Hull, who is chasing a first major title this week after three runners-up finishes, was in elite company on Thursday in a playing group with Korda and world