2015 British Women’s Open: Amy Boulden happy with recovery

Welsh golfer Amy Boulden was delighted with a one-under-par opening round of 71 at the Women's British Open at Turnberry on Thursday.

Boulden, 22, made a shaky start, slipping to three-over-par after her first eight holes.

But three birdies and a delightful eagle on the par five 17th hole moved the Solheim Cup hopeful into the top half of the leader board.

"I'm pretty happy with my back nine especially the eagle," she said.

"I got myself behind early on, not through bad shots, but leaving myself difficult putts to hole for par, so overall happy."

South Korean Kim Hyo-joo shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead ahead of New Zealand's world number two Lydia Ko and American Cristie Kerr.

Boulden was standing on one-over-par through 16, but after an excellent drive she hit a four iron 195 yards into the front of the green on the penultimate hole.

"I had a 35 to 40 foot putt from the front of the green, a little left to right, and it was nice to hole that in front of my whole family who were out watching me today - that excited them!" Boulden said.

"There are a lot of birdie opportunities - the par fives are where you have to score - and you just have to take your chances when you get them.

Before round one Boulden had set herself the target of staying out of any of the dangerous 84 bunkers which flank the famous Ailsa course and act like magnets to any wayward shots.

"I did go into a few on the front nine. It means you just have to get out and then do your best to make par," she added.

"It is tough but I stuck to my game plan pretty well today."

Boulden will begin her second round at 0736 BST alongside Yumiko Toshida of Japan and Holly Clyburn of England.