Muirfield, UK, Aug 4: Aditi Ashok had a rough start at 2-over 73 in the AI Women’s Open as the first-ever women’s event at Muirfield teed off this morning. India’s other challenger Diksha Dagar had just started her round and was 1-over through two holes.
Aditi had three birdies against five bogeys at a course which has always been rather challenging.
Former Women’s Open champion Hinako Shibuno set a rather imposing target at on day at 6-under 65. Shibuno, who won her maiden major title at Woburn in 2019, had a great start with birdies on the first three holes and went on to card eight birdies in total in a six-under-par 65.
She was one clear ahead of America’s Jessica Korda (66), with Scotland’s Louise Duncan was another shot back at 67.
Playing in the first group at 6.30am alongside former champion and local resident Catriona Matthew,
Duncan recorded an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys to match her score from the opening round at Carnoustie 12 months ago, when she finished 10th while still an amateur.
Two-time Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew struggled to a five-over-par 76, making double bogeys on the first and 10th and failing to make a single birdie. England’s Georgia Hall, who won the title at Royal Lytham in 2018, lies five shots off the pace following an opening 70.
