FOUR SHARE ST RULE TROPHY LEAD ON 73 AT WINDY ST ANDREWS

Despite high winds sweeping over St Andrews, four players broke the par of 75 for the New Course and they share the lead on two-under-par 73 after the first round of the St Rule Trophy 54-hole tournament today. The final two rounds will be played over the Old Course on Sunday. Ireland's Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) and Madelene Sagstrom (Sweden), ranked No 4 and No 5 in the European Golf Association female amateur ratings at the moment, are joint leaders with Breanna Elliott and Ashley Ona, both members of the Australian team who will be bidding to win the Astor Trophy in an international match-play team event at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lancashire next month. Leading English player is 15-year-old Bronte Law (Bramhall), who won the SLGA Under-16s' open title at Strathmore in April, She is on the level par 75 mark. Top Scot is Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), holder of the British women's open amateur stroke-play title, on 77. New Scottish women's champion Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) bidding to join the select band of Scots who have won their national title and the St Rule Trophy in the year, started with a solid 78. On the same mark is three times US women's mid-amateur champion Meghan Stasi from Coral Ridge, United States. As Meghan Bolger, she played in the winning United States team in the 2008 Curtis Cup match over the Old Course. Her husband-to-be, a Florida restaurant owner, proposed to her on the Swilken Bridge at the conclusion of the mach three years ago - and they decided to make a sentimental return visit to St Andrews. Meghan lost to the then Scottish champion Kelsey MacDonald at the 19th in the semi-finals of the British women's open amateur championship at Ganton last year .... and she will be competing again in the same tournament at Royal Portrush next month. Laura Murray (Alford) who won a three-way play-off for the title 12 months ago, was a non-starter. She withdrew earlier in the week. FIRST ROUND SCORES New Course (Par 75, CSS 78). 73 Breanna Elliott (Australia), Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), Madelene Sagstrom (Sweden), Ashley Ona (Australia). 75 Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park), Whitney Hillier (Australia). 76 Bronte Law (Bramhall). 77 Emilee Taylor (Holme Hall), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle). 78 Emma Goodard (Vale Royal), Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham), Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa), Johanna Tillstrom (Sweden), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Meghan Stasi (United States). 79 Nathalie Mansson (Sweden), Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Nikki Foster (Pleasington), Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Charlotte Wild (Mere). 80 Emily Ogilvy (Auchterarder), Megan Garland (The Oaks), Samantha Birks (Wolstanton), Gillian Monteith (Portpatrick Dunskey), Brogan Townend (Pleasington), Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie), Catherine Herreta (United States). 81 Elaine Moffat (St Regulus), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm), Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Cara Gruber (Royal Dornoch). 82 Susan Wood (Drumpellier), Rachael McQueen (Troon Ladies), Susan Jackson (Ladybank), Sally Shayler (The Bedfordshire), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Laura Watkins (Bicester), Natalie Lowe (Prestbury). 83 Jess Wilcox (Blankney), Daisy Dyer (Chigwell), Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall), Ann Ramsay (Kirriemuir).] 84 Ami Story (Ponteland), Rachael Hanlon (St Regulus), Rachael Taylor (Reichswald), Linn Gustafsson (Sweden)., Lesley Atkins (Gullane). 85 Lisa Ball (Matfen Hall). 86 Malin Jansson (Sweden). 87 Lianna Bailey (Notts), Claire Hargan (Strathmore), Claire Penman (Carnoustie). 88 Laura Jones (Royal Liverpool Ladies). 90 Shonagh Raitt (Forfar), Claire Smith (Silsden). 92 Olivia Winning (Rotherham). LEONA MAGUIRE, the leading GB and I player, at the end of a windy first round over the New Course (image by Cal Carson Golf Agency). By COLIN FARQUHARSON Colin@scottishgolfview.com