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Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald shot a seven-under-par 64 to break Sanctuary Cove’s course record and lead the Australian WPGA Championship after the first round.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 35-year-old bogeyed the first hole but then made six birdies, and an eagle on the last, to lead the Ladies European Tour event in Queensland by one stroke.<\/p>\n
Home favourite Hannah Green, who won the Australian Open last week, and English rookie Charlotte Heath – who also bogeyed the first – are in joint second.<\/p>\n
Four players share fourth on five under including England’s Meghan MacLaren, who was runner-up in the Australian Women’s Classic at Magenta Shores two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Macdonald, from Inverness, went out in 35 but a birdie-eagle finish meant she came home in just 29 strokes. <\/p>\n
“Well, the first hole wasn’t that great! So I had nothing to lose from then on,” said Macdonald, who has been playing golf in Australia for three months after earning a WPGA Tour of Australasia card.<\/p>\n
“I just gave myself opportunities, and it was nice to finish the way I did. I’ve been in Australia since 2 January, taking advantage of the great weather. <\/p>\n
“When I left Scotland it was minus seven degrees so it has been a great opportunity to keep playing.”<\/p>\n
Heath, an LET Access Series graduate who played for Great Britain & Ireland in two Curtis Cups, carded seven birdies and dropped just one shot.<\/p>\n
“It’s quite Florida-esque here and I’m based in Florida now, so it felt quite comfortable to me with the Bermuda grass and [hitting] into the grain,” said the 24-year-old.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n