Jodi Ewart Shadoff leads Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship

Jodi Ewart Shadoff equalled her lowest round of the season to open up a two-shot lead after the opening round of the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.

The Englishwoman carded seven birdies in a bogey-free round in Taoyuan City to pull ahead of nearest challengers Haeji Kang and Nelli Korda.

Beginning on the back nine, Ewart Shadoff opened with back-to-back birdies and picked up further shots at the 13th and 15th to reach the turn in 32.

Ewart Shadoff added a fifth birdie of the day at the par-four second and grabbed the outright advantage with gains at the seventh and ninth - her final hole - while Kang opened with a bogey-free 67 and Korda got to five under with a birdie-birdie finish.

Former world No 1 So Yeon Ryu is part of a five-way tie for fourth, with Spain's Carlota Ciganda one of four players a further stroke back on three under.

England's Bronte Law is five off the pace alongside defending champion Eun-Hee Ji after an opening-round 70, while Lydia Ko mixed three birdies with two bogeys in a one-under 71.

Watch the Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship throughout the weekend on Sky Sports. Coverage begins on Saturday from 9am on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.

LPGA Tour Golf