Hart hits form

Australia’s Leah Hart enjoyed her best day on the European Tour when she birdied the final two holes to lead the first round of the KLM Ladies’ Open at Eindhoven in Holland.

The 24-year-old rookie’s seven-under-par round put her two shots ahead of France’s Stephanie Arricau, who was third in last week’s French Open.

Yorkshire’s Georgina Simpson and Kent’s Danielle Masters were the top British players at four off the lead on 69, with Lancashire’s Kirsty Taylor a further shot back.

Taylor claimed her breakthrough win in last year’s Wales’ WPGA Championship of Europe – but has struggled to make her mark this year.

However, her round of three birdies and just one bogey was a much more solid effort.

Hart had six brides and an eagle at the long ninth, while Arricau raised her hopes of a third win on Tour with seven birdies.

Masters, a 23-year-old former Curtis Cup player from Pembury, is recognised as one of the most promising young British players, and she proved the point with a steady four birdies and just one dropped shot.