Mirim Lee shoots 62 to lead Women's British Open by three

South Korea's Mirim Lee produced the equal lowest round in Women's British Open history with an opening 62 at Woburn's Marquess Course on Thursday.

Lee produced one of the best rounds of her career to take a three-shot lead at the end of the opening day, with conditions proving conducive to low scoring.

The 25-year-old birdied her first two holes and then made five successive birdies from the seventh to storm into the lead.

She picked up further shots at the 14th and 17th before parring the closing hole and missing out on the first 61 in the tournament's history.

"It was probably one of my best ever rounds, although I still had some errant shots," said Lee.

"I played every hole in a similar fashion, hitting fairways and greens. My best ever score was an 11 under par in LPGA Qualifying."

Her closest challenger after 18 holes is in-form Thai player Ariya Jutanugarn, who also managed to avoid any dropped shots in her seven under round of 65.

Jutanugarn, who won three LPGA events in the month of May alone, had four birdies on her front-nine and made further headway with birdies at the 10th, 11th and 15th.

"This year I have had so much fun when I play golf. I don't really like links courses so I am pleased the British Open has come here," she said.

"Tomorrow I just want to maintain my focus and not worry too much about the result."

China's Shanshan Feng is one stroke further back after an opening round of 66, while 2013 champion Stacy Lewis and Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea started off with rounds of 67.

The leading European player is Spain's Azahara Munoz, who had five birdies and one dropped shot in her round of 68, while England's Charley Hull started her challenge with a three-under 69.

Hull birdied the first and third holes and finished off strongly by picking up shots at the 17th and 18th - her only bogey had come at the eighth.

World No 2 Brooke Henderson is nine shots off the pace after a somewhat disappointing 71 - she could only manage two birdies and a dropped shot at the 13th,

But that was three shots better than the world's leading player Lydia Ko, who needs a big round on Friday after finishing with bogeys at the last two holes in a round of 74.