French rookie Manon Mollé and Spain's Silvia Bañon set the new course record with a solid 66 (-5) in the first round of the Women's New South Wales Open on Thursday to share first place in the provisional standings at Coffs Harbor Golf Club.

Manon Mollé - Photo: DR

The duo hold a one-stroke lead over another Frenchwoman, Justine Dreher, while a trio of golfers including Sweden's Camilla Lennarth, Thailand's Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras and American Emily McLennan are tied for fourth at -3. .

Manon Mollé recorded 6 birdies and just one buggy to set a new course record on a hot morning perfect for scoring points, while Bañon kept a bug-free card in an effort that included 15 greens and just 28 putts on her. tower.

"I am very happy with this tour", said Soft. “I started with a bogey and made a lot of birdies at the end ce that helped me. "

Well no was ecstatic with his record despite the winds of theafter-noon and a declared: “It was my best lap on the Ladies European Tour. I'm relaxed, and I'm enjoying of the course »

Dreher was also pleased with his 4 under par at first round, just a swipe from the leaders. She was delighted to see the name of her friend Manon at the top of the leaderboard and a said one of the French women playing this week could win.

“I think that we, the French players, have a very good group, we push ourselves the each the other. The fact that Céline (Boutier) has won la last week we a shown that one ofbetween we could get there. It’s really nice to share a win with one of your friends when they win, so from push the each the other. I think this is the key. Watch out for French women! " dit - she.

McLennan, who is in his sophomore year on the ALPG Tour after graduating from the University of Tennessee, was pleasantly surprised with his first lap (-3).

"I don'tdidn't hit my irons very well today, but I put in quite a few good putts. I made a bunch of good birdies. I have tried to have a game solid all la day, " McLennan smiles.

Camilla Lennarth was also pleased with her 68 lap en taking into account hot conditions. Swedish a said it was much more preferable de play in the warmth of Coffs Harbor that by have to endure the wave de current cold at home.

"I prefer that to snow," Lennarth smiled, looking up at the sky. “This weather is so much better, I want it all the time! "

South New Welsh Sarah Kemp and Olivia Cowan of Germany are one stroke behind with 2 under par.

There are seven other players tied for ninth at 1 under par for a total of 15 players to be under par in the first round.