Wales's Gracie Mayo set the pace in the opening round of the British Women's Amateur Championship at Muirfield, carding a six-under 65 to lead by one stroke. The 21-year-old from Royal Porthcawl -- a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma -- posted birdies on four of her final seven holes, turning in 31 before a solid back nine. France's Vairana Heck sits alone in second at five-under 66, while Sweden's Kajsalotta Svarvar and Spain's Paula Martin Sampedro—last year's champion—share third at four-under 67. The field will complete another stroke-play round before the low 64 advance to match play.
"Every year I've tried to play in this tournament, I play in it." Mayo told The R&A. "It's one of the best tournaments of the year and it's just as equal of a test as college golf, if not more. We put a lot of time and effort into this sport so it's nice when it plays off every once in a while."