Charley Hull three behind Ariya Jutanugarn at Olympic Games in Rio
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 18/08/16 9:04pm
Charley Hull sits three shots off the pace after the opening round of the women's golf tournament at the Olympic Games in Rio.
Hull and Catriona Matthew are representing Great Britain in only the second women's competition in Olympic history, and looking to follow up Justin Rose's victory in the men's event on Sunday.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, who won the Women's British Open at Hull's home course Woburn last month, was the only player to card a 65 on the opening day at Reserva de Marapendi.
She carded seven birdies and an eagle and leads Korea's Inbee Park and Sei Young Kim by a stroke after most of the world's leading players enjoyed decent first rounds.
Hull carded four birdies and a solitary bogey to finish three under par, but was left frustrated by a number of missed putts, including one for birdie at the 18th.
She is in a tie for seventh place alongside America's Lexi Thompson, one shot ahead of world No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand and two clear of Brooke Henderson after the Canadian opened with a 70.
Matthew is back in a tie for 26th place after carding an opening round level par 71, while Ireland's Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow shot 74 and 77 respectively.
"I played well but feel like I left so many shots out there on the back nine," said Hull. "But I feel like I am hitting it pretty well and at the end of the day I'm pretty happy with that score.
"It's nice to come into an event without all the build-up and pressure I had at Woburn, although I thought I handled that pretty well.
"And although it's quite an easy hole, it was nice to birdie the first and be able to say I birdied my first hole as an Olympian."
