Hudson sets early pace

England’s Rebecca Hudson fired a course record seven-under-par 65 to lead after the first round of the Spanish Open at Club de Campo Mediterraneo in Castellon.

The 27-year-old from Doncaster, who claimed her maiden Ladies European Tour victory last year in Hungary, set out early from the 10th tee and played her front nine in six-under-par 30.

She birdied each of her first three holes, grabbing the lead from the outset, then posted a further run of three birdies from the par-four 15th hole, before collecting another at the par-three second.

The last time Hudson played a back nine in 30 was during the third and final round of the 2005 OTP Bank Ladies Central European Open at Tata GC in Hungary, en route to her career-low round of 62.

She won the title the following year at the same venue and said after today’s round: “I’d have been happy with three or four-under – I didn’t think I’d be six-under after nine holes or seven-under by the end of the day.

“I’m not complaining with seven-under but it could have been much better. I missed an eight-footer on both the seventh and the eighth holes where I left them both a bit short.”

Hudson held a four-stroke lead over six players at the turn but her lead was narrowed to a stroke by the end of the afternoon matches.

She explained: “After the second hole I missed a few 10-footers – I didn’t putt very well last week so I was a bit nervy about losing my score.”

England’s Kirsty Taylor and France’s Gwladys Nocera shared second position after a pair of 66s while England’s Danielle Masters had a 67 and was a stroke further back in fourth position.

Taylor, who won the 2005 Wales Open, has recently relocated from York to Tetbury in Gloucestershire due to her husband Alastair changing his job. She now plays at nearby Minchinhampton Golf Club.

The highlight of her round was an eagle three at the par-five eighth hole, where she chipped in from 30 yards with a 52 degree wedge.

Taylor, who is sharing accommodation with Hudson this week, played the back nine in four-under with birdies at the 11th, 13th, 17th and 18th holes and joked: “I was chasing after my room-mate.

“I hit the ball pretty close all day and it was straight onto the fairways and greens.

“If you look at myself and Rebecca at the top of the leaderboard then you can see what sort of a golf course this is.”