Nocera leads on home soil
European Solheim Cup player Gwladys Nocera thrilled the home galleries with a fantastic five-under-par 65 to lead after the first round of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
In fine conditions, Nocera fired five birdies to end a stroke ahead of fellow Frenchwoman Celine Herbin at Golf de Chantaco, a scenic course located between The Rhûne Mountain and the Atlantic coast in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Aquitaine.
“I started the day a little bit slow and after a couple of holes I told myself, you decided to come here, you’ve always wanted to win this tournament, so get your act together and play golf,” said Nocera, 40, who played in the Evian Championship and then The Solheim Cup in Germany last week. “Sometimes after two tough weeks like we went through, it’s easy not to give everything you have because you’re tired, but I really want to win this tournament and I think in the back of my head it hit me. I kept on playing better and made a few putts, so it’s really nice to end the day like that.”
Ladies European Tour rookie Emily Kristine Pedersen, Marianne Skarpnord, Cathryn Bristow and Marion Ricordeau share third position on three under par.
European Solheim Cup team member Azahara Munoz from Spain is seeking to become the first player to win the Open de France three times in succession and lies in a group sharing seventh place on two under par 68, alongside her English teammate Charley Hull.
Fellow Spanish Solheim Cup player Carlota Ciganda was four under through 17 holes but made a quadruple bogey eight on the last after twice shanking the ball out of bounds and she signed for a level par 70. United States Solheim Cup winner Cristie Kerr struggled to a four over par 74 after recording two double bogeys on the back nine, on 11 and 18.
However, Fiona Puyo from France was all smiles after a hole in one at the 141-yard 12th using her 8-iron. After signing for a two over par 72, she said: “I didn't see the ball go in, because the green is uphill, but I heard the cheers from the crowd and I knew the ball went in! I was told it pitched two yards behind the pin and came back in with the spin. It's my second hole-in-one: I made one during the 2011 French match play championship when I was still an amateur. So it's my first one as a pro."
The Lacoste Ladies Open de France continues on Friday, followed by a cut to the leading 50 players and those tied after the second round.
Latest
-
News‘Investigation concluded’ into the cause of Tiger Woods’ car crash
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said the details could not yet be released.
-
NewsResurgent Jordan Spieth feeling confident ahead of Masters challenge
For those not qualified, the Valero Texas Open is the last way to get into the Masters.
-
NewsAmerican Nelly Korda taking ‘relaxed’ approach into first major of the season
Korda finished joint runner-up at Mission Hills Country Club last year.
-
NewsWATCH: Robert MacIntyre in seventh heaven after securing Masters invite
The young Scot admits he thought it would probably never happen.
-
NewsBilly Horschel claims all-American final against Scottie Scheffler in Austin
Scheffler had plenty of crowd support as a native Texan and drew first blood at the Austin Country Club.
-
NewsColin Montgomerie criticises slow play as Horschel and Scheffler reach final
It took Scottie Scheffler and Matt Kuchar four hours and eight minutes to complete their match.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood’s challenge in Texas ends despite ace
Billy Horschel was one of three Americans to reach the last four in Austin.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood books quarter-final place in Austin after hole-in-one
The Englishman’s ace at the fourth followed Sergio Garcia’s hole-in-one there on Friday.
-
NewsSergio Garcia hits hole-in-one to reach WGC Match Play last 16
The Spaniard made an ace on the fourth play-off hole to get the better of Lee Westwood.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood holds off Bryson DeChambeau to progress in Austin
The Englishman had been four up but the match went down the last.