Solid start for Olivia Mehaffey in Sweden

Olivia Mehaffey made a fine start in her bid for European Ladies’ Amateur Championship glory by carding an opening day total of 70 in Sweden.

The Royal Co. Down player got off to a tricky start at the Hooks club after a bogey on the par four first hole.

But Curtis Cup star Mehaffey, currently sixth in the world rankings, soon settled and birdied the par three sixth hole — although a bogey at the eighth saw her go into the turn on one over.

A birdie at the 11th hole was followed by a dropped shot at the par three 12th — but Mehaffey rallied late on to end her round with three consecutive birdies to climb to joint 14th on the leaderboard at the end of the first day of play.

Former champion Lisa Maguire is tied 33rd after firing in a level par round of 72 .

The Slieve Russell starlet, who lifted the title in 2011, struck back-to-back bogeys on the opening two holes — with a birdie at the par four fourth her highlight of the front nine.

Maguire rallied on the back nine though and, despite a bogey at the 10th, recovered by striking three birdies on the final four holes to keep herself firmly in contention for honours.

A double bogey at the par four 18th dented what was otherwise a solid opening day for Clandeboye’s Jessica Ross who is tied 71st on two-over-par.

Elsewhere, Castletroy player Chloe Ryan battled back from a nightmare front nine by carding three birdies in a row on the back nine to finish on five-over-par — a total that leaves her tied 117th.

Belgian Diane Baillieux topped the standings at the end of the first round after posting a magnificent eight-under-par 64.