Maguire makes steady start at Women's Irish Open

Women's Irish Open - first round

-9 C Alexander (SA); -5 L M Humphreys (Eng), J Melichova (Cze), A Dawson (IoM), A Fanali (Ita); -4 S Kouskova (Cze), L Rydqvist (Swe), A Fuller (Eng); -3 A Donegan (Ire), K Arwefjaell (Swe), P Urs (Ind), B Navarrosa (US)

Selected others: -2 G Clews (Eng); -1 L Maguire (Ire), A Wilson (NI); +1 O Mehaffey (NI); E A Foster (Ire)

Full leaderboard

Leona Maguire's latest bid for a first Women's Irish Open title began in steady fashion as she carded a one-under 71 in Thursday's first round at the K Club.

The 31-year-old, who was selected as one of European captain Anna Nordqvist's Solheim Cup wildcard picks earlier this month, carded three birdies and two bogeys to sit eight shots off breakaway leader Casandra Alexander of South Africa.

Maguire, who has missed 11 of 19 cuts this season, birdied two of the four par-fives and also picked up a shot at the par-three second - her 11th hole - with dropped shots at the sixth and 16th holes.

At 82nd in the world, two-time LPGA Tour winner Maguire is the highest-ranked player among a record 16-strong Irish contingent competing in County Kildare this week.

However, it is Ladies European Tour rookie Aine Donegan who leads the home charge after recording four birdies in a three-under 69.

Northern Ireland's Annabel Wilson matched Maguire's 71 with Anna Foster - who finished tied second at the Swiss Open earlier this month - a shot further back.

South Africa's Alexander, meanwhile, produced a superb display, hitting nine birdies in a flawless 63 to sit four shots clear of Czech Republic's Jana Melichova, Isle of Man's Ana Dawson, Italy's Alessandra Fanali and England's Lily May Humphreys.

England's Annabell Fuller will start the second round four back after mixing six birdies with two bogeys in an encouraging 68.