• Women's British Open

Hull struggles at Birkdale

Charley Hull started double-bogey, bogey in the Women's British Open on her way to a 73 © Getty Images

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British teenager Charley Hull recovered from dropping three shots in the first two holes of the British Women's Open but found herself off the pace after the opening round at Royal Birkdale.

The 18-year-old, who missed the cut in her two previous appearances in the tournament, signed for a one-over 73 to sit five shots behind leader Ayako Uehara of Japan.

Having started with a double bogey, Hull dropped another shot on the second before registering three birdies, only to drop another shot on the last.

Fellow Englishwoman Holly Clyburn is heading the home contingent after the first round, following a one-under 71, the same score as defending champion and world No.1 Stacey Lewis.

"I am very happy, to go out there and shoot under par straight off is very nice," said Clyburn. "I gave myself a lot of opportunities and a lot of just shaving the hole [with putts], and after how I've putted the past few weeks, I'm very happy. I'm so much more confident over the ball and I'm happy to go out there and hole some putts."

US Open winner Michelle Wie struggled to a three-over 75 before admitting it had been an uncomfortable day on the links. "I definitely felt like my tempo was a little bit off," Wie said. "I just didn't hit good shots today. But it's a long way until Sunday. It could have been a lot worse."

Uehara, who is ranked 125th in the world and is yet to record a victory on the LPGA Tour, is one shot ahead of Mo Martin of the USA, while two more Americans - Morgan Pressel and Mina Harigae - are at 2-under, alongside Australia's Sarah Kemp.

Women's British Open leaderboard

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