Virginie Lagoutte-Clement opened with a seven under par 65 on a beautiful morning at Paris International Golf Club to claim a one stroke clubhouse lead at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
This event sees the three-time Ladies European Tour event champion from Montelimar play at home in her native France and she made the most of her opportunity with eight birdies and just one bogey in her round.
One stroke behind Lagoutte-Clement on six under is Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord, who had six birdies with four on the more difficult back nine.
A shot further back on 67 were Spain’s Tania Elosegui, Australian rookie Stacey Keating and England’s Sophie Walker, who was inspired by watching Europe’s Solheim Cup victory on Sunday.
England’s Trish Johnson, a three time winner of the Open de France and the defending champion, finished her round three strokes off the pace after a 68 along with compatriot Felicity Johnson.
Two of last week’s winning European Solheim Cup Team are playing this week and both Laura Davies and Caroline Hedwall were round in three under par.
Davies struggled with her putting from inside eight feet but rallied to finish with an eagle on hole eight followed by a closing birdie. Hedwall had three birdies in a steady round.
France’s Jade Schaeffer, who won her second LET title three weeks ago in Prague, along with compatriot Cassandra Kirkland and Caroline Rominger of Switzerland were the best placed players at three under par by early afternoon.
