It was a dramatic day one of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – London, as Ireland’s Leona Maguire fired a seven-under-par 66 at Centurion Club to take the sole lead.
World No.8, and favourite this week, Charley Hull, was forced to withdraw after only six holes played, early in the morning.
A shoulder injury was ruled by a physiotherapist as too much for Hull to continue with, following a week that has also been marred with illness.
But there was no false start from Maguire, who was blemish free as she took control at the top of the leaderboard.
With four birdies on her front nine, three on her back nine and an impressive up and down to save par on 18, Maguire broke away from Austria’s Sarah Schober, holding a one-shot lead.
Maguire’s brilliance also drove her team to the top of the Team leaderboard, tied top alongside Team Hall and Team Itturioz on 14-under-par, heading into the second and final day of the team competition.
The world no.32, who is set to represent the Republic of Ireland at the Summer Olympics in Paris, was full of praise for her team, which included Liz Young and Marta Sanz Barrio.
“We were all making a few birdies out there which definitely helps,” said Maguire. “We have a nice atmosphere in the team which made it more comfortable out there.”
Nuria Iturrioz, who sits T3 on the individual leaderboard, scored four birdies on her front nine to help her team leap into first place early in the day, having started in the morning.
“We are happy,” said the Spaniard, who was relishing the team feel. “We played really well and we’re a really good team, we have good vibes, and we’ll keep going tomorrow.”
Sarah Schober, who missed the cut in last week’s VP Bank Swiss Open, carded seven birdies in her round of six-under-par, and sits just one shot back from the lead overnight.
“I’m just very happy that today, everything came together and clicked.
I want to keep doing what I’m doing. There is still two days to go so I’m very relaxed and just want to enjoy it out there with the ladies.”
For all the live scores from the Aramco Team Series London, click here.