Leona Maguire makes fast start in Spain

Leona Maguire has positioned herself well with an opening 68 at the Andalucia Open de Espana in Spain.

The Cavan golfer sits on five-under-par at the tournament at Alferini Golf, two shots off round one leader England's Cara Gainer.

Coming in off her brilliant second-placed finish at the CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA Tour, Maguire started her round with four pars on the back nine before getting under par thanks to a birdie at the 14th.

Another would follow at the 17th before a dropped shot at 18 saw her out in 36.

FULL LEADERBOARD

Back-to-back birdies at the third and fourth saw her move up the leaderboard with an eagle on her penultimate hole leaving her in a strong position.

Gainer had a fine round despite two bogeys hurting her card. She had nine birdies in all.