Lacoste Ladies Open de France, Azahara Munoz - Credit: Tristan Jones

Already twice titled in the event, in 2013 and 2014 at the Chantaco golf course, Azahara Muñoz is in command of this first round with a card of 66 (-5), and asserts himself this Thursday as one of the main contenders to victory in this 29th edition of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. The Spanish star with five victories on the European circuit, crowned in the Solheim Cup for the third time in his career last Sunday in Scotland, indeed made the best card of the first round, a 66 (-5) including six birdies against a bogey . “It was a great day. I got a lot of chances and only missed the fairway once, on my first hole on the 10th where I saved a good par. After that I played really solid and put in some really good putts. I played really well last week, and I hope I can keep that momentum going here, ”said Muñoz, 31, who is currently ranked 37th in the world.

Only one player managed to equal the score of the Spaniard: Madelene Sagström, who played in the game just behind. The 26-year-old Swede, who participated in the 2017 edition of the Solheim Cup lost by Europe, made five birdies without making the slightest mistake. On the evening of the first lap, the two young women were one length ahead of the Finnish Sanna Nuutinen, who made a nice 67 (-4) with seven birdies for three bogeys.

First French leaderboard, Joanna Klatten occupies a promising fourth place at -3. The Saint-Cloud golf player, in full technical work after losing her playing rights on the American circuit, was almost the first surprise after her clear round (three birdies, zero bogey): pretty solid, especially on my last nine holes, and putt really well. I don't have too many expectations this week, I'm mostly trying to have fun - and I did today. I have a great friend who caddeye me, and playing in France is always a pleasure. All the conditions are there to have a good week, ”she said. Klatten shares fourth place with three other players, including American Nelly Korda, seeded in the tournament as the 10th player in the world.

Very followed by the Girondin public, the tricolor number 1 Céline Boutier has also successfully started the Lacoste Ladies Open of France: with a card of 70 (-1), she points to 12th place, up to her compatriots Mathilda Cappeliez, Astrid Vayson de Pradenne and Anaïs Meyssonnier.

Lacoste Ladies Open de France: all you need to know about the 2019 edition