Golf: Wright flies high

PAM WRIGHT made her best start of the season when she recorded a five-under-par 68 during the opening round of the rain-interrupted Weetabix British Women's Open at Woburn yesterday.

It left the Scot sharing the lead with the American challenger Kris Tschetter, while a chasing group of four players were on 69.

Wright, who was a member of the last two Solheim Cup sides, is currently struggling to make the European team who will defend the cup against the United States in October.

'Obviously I would like to make the cup team because I know I can be of help,' Wright said after she had completed her round.

Four of Wright's five birdies came in a homeward run of 34 after the water-logged state of the greens had halted play for 65 minutes.

Tschetter, who had won her solitary LPGA title two years ago, made her move with a run of five birdies in seven holes from the sixth and she finally caught Wright with another birdie at the long 18th.

Meanwhile, the world No 1, Britain's Laura Davies, birdied the last two holes for a 74, leaving her six strokes off the lead.

'I three-putted three times and had an unplayable ball in the first four holes,' the favourite for the title said. 'I couldn't believe that start but I never gave up and managed to nick a couple of birdies at the end.'