Sorenstam on top

World number one Annika Sorenstam enjoyed a magical day on the greens to lead the €521,400 Dubai Ladies’ Masters with a course-record first round of 65 at the Emirates Golf Club today.

English teenager Kiran Matharu could also be proud of her effort as she fired a four-under-par 68 to share third place in a group that included fellow Englishwoman Kirsty Taylor.

Tipped as a superstar in waiting, Matharu highlighted her best round in two months as a professional with an eagle three at the long 18th, her ninth hole.

“The second shot (with a four iron) nearly went in for an albatross and then I would have won a car,” said the Leeds youngster, who began her career with a top-15 finish in the Wales Ladies’ Championship of Europe in August.

“That would have been lovely because I’m learning to drive.

“But today I played really steady. It’s the first time I’ve shot in the 60s as a professional and this is such a great field out here this week. It’s a near-perfect start.”

Sorenstam went even better with seven birdies in a faultless round that secured a two-shot lead over Japan’s Namika Omata.

“I made two huge putts for birdies in the first six holes and just had 28 putts in all and that was the key today,” said the Swede, who has already claimed four titles this year.

“I’m very pleased with the start but it is only Thursday. There’s a long way to go.”

Taylor, a winner in Wales last year, had a handful of birdies and her only mistake was a three-putt bogey at the 14th.

“I was two under after four and just had a really steady day,” she said.