HAYLEY DAVIS LEADS ENGLISH GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATIONDorset’s Hayley Davis scored two-under par 70 and holds a two-shot lead after the opening round of the English girls’ championship at Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire. Her closest challenger is the defending champion, Elizabeth Mallett of Warwickshire, who opened her campaign with a level par 72. Both players found a good touch on the fast, sloping greens – a skill which proved essential for a low score. “The greens are really, really, really good and quite quick,” said Elizabeth. Hayley, who was the 2010 English women’s amateur champion, made an exceptional start to her round and was four under at the turn. She didn’t drop her first shot until the 11th and came home in two-over. “I played really nicely and I’m very happy to take two-under par for the first round!” she said. “Now, I’ll just see how it goes.” Elizabeth produced very steady play with three birdies and three bogeys and was satisfied with the start of her defence. “You can’t win it on the first day, but you can lose it,” she commented. “I like the course, it’s good – although it’s on top of a hill and can get windy.” Both girls have come into the event after a busy time in education. Hayley has just finished her college course and will soon be heading to Baylor University in Texas, where she will play on the US women’s college circuit. Elizabeth has taken her AS levels and started her A2 courses. Among the other players high up the leaderboard are Bronte Law of Cheshire and Meghan MacLaren of Northamptonshire. They both made a dash from Scotland, where they took part – sadly unsuccessfully – in yesterday’s final qualifying for the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Today, Bronte shot two-over 74 and Meghan returned 75. Bronte shares third place with Elizabeth Stebbings of Lancashire and Ellie Goodall of Yorkshire. Meghan is tied sixth with Sophie Godley of Yorkshire and Charlotte Thomas of Singapore. Dorset’s Georgia Hall, 15, won the English U13 championship in 2009 and followed up with victory in last year’s U15 championship. She has moved up to this event and opened her account with 77. After tomorrow’s second round the field will be cut to the top 40 players and ties who go forward to the final 36 holes on Thursday. Click here for full scores