Leona Maguire has steady start at Open as Stephanie Meadow struggles

Leona Maguire shot a level par 71 on the first day of the AIG Women's Open at Muirfield to stay within six shots of leader Hinako Shibuno after the former champion produced a "frightening" display of putting.

Shibuno, who won her maiden major title at Woburn in 2019, made a flying start with birdies on the first three holes and went on to card eight in total in an opening six-under-par 65 in the £6 million event.

That gave the 23-year-old from Japan a one-shot lead over American Jessica Korda, with Scotland’s Louise Duncan and Mexico’s Gabby Lopez another stroke back following a 67.

Maguire started brightly with a birdie at the par four first, before giving the shot back at the par-three fourth.

There were further birdies for the Cavan golfer at the fifth and 10th but she slipped out of the red numbers with bogeys at the 12th and 15th holes.

It was a round to forget for Stephanie Meadow, who shot a five-over 76 featuring not a single birdie.

But for Shibuno it was a dream opening round.

"It has been a long time since I’ve played this well, especially putting. Honestly it was a little frightening," she said through an interpreter.

"I haven’t changed much. My caddie told me that my body balance was off when I was missing putts. Once I focused on this, I could play much better.

"Two years ago when we were playing at Royal Troon, the wind completely overtook my shots. I wasn’t thinking about how to use this to my advantage.

"However, for this tournament I could adapt my style to the elements. I imagined my swing, if the wind was coming from the right I could play by feel how far from the pin I needed to aim for."

Korda (above) recovered from an early bogey to record four birdies and an eagle on the 17th, despite having to play in