Hackney seizes narrow lead

Britain's Lisa Hackney stepped up her challenge for a Solheim Cup place with eight birdies in a six-under-par 66 in the opening round of the Evian Masters in Evian, France, yesterday.

Hackney, the Welsh Open champion from Stoke, leads the field - one stroke ahead of Sweden's Maria Hjorth while defending champion Laura Davies trails on 72.

"It is the third time this year I have had eight birdies in a round. I am enjoying it and just hope that it lasts," said Hackney, who was only an inch away from a hole-in-one at the short second hole.

At the same hole Davies needed two attempts to escape from a green-side bunker to run up a double-bogey five before completing her round with late birdies at the last two holes.

"That double-bogey was a real setback," said Davies. "I played well enough and had one or two chances in the middle of the round but it was one of those days when nothing happened."