BETH ALLEN MAKES PERFECT START AT OATES VIC OPEN

Beth Allen

Beth Allen shot a sparkling six-under-par 67 in the Oates Vic Open first round to take a one stroke lead ahead of fellow American Cheyenne Woods at 13th Beach Golf Links near Melbourne.

Due to their late arrival from the LPGA’s season-opening tournament in the Bahamas, neither player had played a practice round and they both credited their experienced caddies for steering them around the Creek Course on Thursday morning.

Sophie Gustafson, a 28-time tournament champion and four-time order of merit winner, who helped Allen to win her first three titles and the order of merit in 2016, was back on her bag after a one-year hiatus. The result was six birdies on a bogey-free score card.

A delighted Allen said: “It’s been kind of crazy because I only arrived yesterday morning and I didn’t have tons of expectations, which is usually good, when you’re playing golf. I just woke up and said let’s see what happens. It’s great to have Sophie on the bag again and I had visions of 2016, which was awesome. We had a lot of fun out there, so I’m looking forward to the next few days.”

Englands Georgia Hall and Scotland’s Kylie Henry are both tied in 4th place with a 3 under Par 70