German Gal surprise leader at women`s British Open

London: Germany`s Sandra Gal was the surprise leader by one shot after the first round of the women`s British Open.Gal`s three-under par 69 put her ahead of American Angela Stanford and South Korean Kim Song-Hee.

American teenager Michelle Wie was also in the mix after a one-over par 73 left her joint seventh in windy conditions. Gal sneaked into the lead with a five birdie round, having saved par at the last with an amazing recovery from deep rough on the right of the green to within four feet of the pin. "It`s only the first day, but I`m delighted to be at the top," said the 24-year-old world number 69. "The third shot at the 18th was one of the best of my career." Stanford, with a round highlighted by a mammoth putt for an eagle three at the long seventh, was tied for second with Kim on two-under par 70 while Wie was tucked in nicely after a 73. The 19-year-old Wie, desperate for a first professional victory that would secure a Solheim Cup place, was more than happy with her start to the final major of the women`s season. It is the last outing before captain Beth Daniel names her U.S. team to face Europe in the women`s match play equivalent of the men`s Ryder Cup in Illinois on Aug. 21-23. "The wind was tough and any score under par today was exceptional," said Wie after her three-birdie round. "I`m used to it blowing in Hawaii, but here it is 30 degrees colder.” Happy Wie "I sprayed a couple of irons out there and had a few errant shots. But I stayed patient and I`m happy.” "I love playing in the British Open because the crowds are so respectful. I didn`t hear one cell phone today." Her longest putt was from 32 feet for her first birdie at the second and she also holed a 20 footer to save par at the 15th. "Making good saves will be key all this week," she added. Stanford`s preparation for the event was unusual. She spent the first few days of the week on holiday in Rome before flying in to England and squeezing in one quick practice round on Wednesday afternoon. "I`ve played here twice before, so I know the course," she said. "Also, I`ve never done particularly well in this championship, so I thought I`d try something different.” "It seems to have worked and I`m delighted to be on two under. In the past, I`ve never coped too well with the mental side of links golf. But today I just accepted the bounces -- good and bad." Kim led alone when she got to four under after a flawless first 13 holes but she dropped shots over the closing stretch. "I usually hit the ball high, but today I hit it lower and it worked," she said. Mexico`s world number one Lorena Ochoa, winner of The Open at St Andrews two years ago, never hit top form and finished on three-over-par 75, while South Korea`s title holder Shin Ji-Yai double bogeyed the final two holes for a 77. France`s Gwladys Nocera, last year`s European number one, had a nightmare round and ended the day bottom of the field. She posted a 19-over-par 91 with two eights on her card. Bureau Report