Charley Hull Leads at Women's British Open with Stunning First Round

England's Charley Hull leads by one shot after the opening round of the women's British Open at St Andrews with a five-under-par 67. Hull outperformed world number one Nelly Korda and China's Yin Ruoning. American Lilia Vu started strong, while Lydia Ko is tied for 12th.

England's Charley Hull birdied her final hole to seize a one-shot lead after the opening round of the women's British Open at St Andrews, where gusting winds challenged the world's top golfers. Hull, the world number 10 and last year's runner-up, mixed one bogey with six birdies in windy conditions to achieve a five-under-par 67, placing her one shot ahead of world number one Nelly Korda and China's Yin Ruoning.

American Lilia Vu, who began her title defense with an impressive birdie putt at the first hole, is among the six players trailing by one shot after scoring 69. Only nine players succeeded in breaking 70. Hull, playing alongside Korda and Vu, overcame a lone bogey at the par-three eighth hole with a birdie to reach one under by the turn.

Hull's impressive finish included four birdies over a flawless back nine, securing her position at the top of the leaderboard. 'Before my round, I was watching the scores on TV and thought, How is she (Yin) four-under par? That was an unbelievable score,' Hull said. 'To go out there, shoot five-under, play pretty solid, it was a lot of fun.'

(With inputs from agencies.)