Mehaffey struggles as Ashok surges into the lead in Kenya

Aditi Ashok fired an opening round of 67 to hold a four-stroke lead after the first day of action at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open while Olivia Mehaffey endured a tough start.

The County Down golfer shot a seven-over par 80 with particular damage done by double bogeys at the par-five second and par-three eighth.

Ashok had no such troubles as she raced to six-under-par. The 24-year-old made the most of the windy afternoon conditions to put herself at the top of the leaderboard at Vipingo Ridge.

An eagle, six birdies and two bogeys propelled the Indian star to top spot as she made light work of the Baobab Course.

"It was a great day," said the three-time LET winner. "I made a lot of putts. I had a lot of birdie chances, but I converted them too, which is good.

"I missed a two-footer on one hole but apart from that, I think played well all day. I hit some really great shots, I hit a couple of hybrids inside five feet which is better than you expect. Hopefully I can carry that momentum into the morning.

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"Playing in the wind is generally something I'm not used to so I maybe I went with the wrong club or went at some pins that I maybe shouldn’t have. I will maybe focus on that and play conservative a few times when the shot doesn’t suit my eye."

Seven players sit in a share of second place on the leaderboard after carding rounds of 71 (-2) on the first day in Kenya.

Italy’s Virginia Elena Carta, Spain’s Ana Peláez Trivino and Scotland’s Kylie went out in the morning groups, while Sweden’s Isabella Deilert, Spain’s Marta Sanz Barrio, England’s Alice Hewson and Thailand’s April Angurasaranee were in the afternoon tee times.

Three players are in a tie for ninth place with Sweden’s Sara Kjellker alongside Danish duo Amalie