SCOTS DAVIDSON, THOMSON SHARE QUEENSLAND LEAD

Melrose-born, Queensland-based amateur Karis Davidson shares the lead with Michele Thomson (Meldrum House) from Ellon and India's Aditi Ashok after the first round of the RACV Gold Coast Challenge at RACV Royal Pines Golf Club, Queensland in Australia.

All three shot three-under-par 70s. Big-hitting Thomson, pictured left, a former Scottish amateur champion and past Curtis Cup player, claimed her four birdies at four par-5 holes: the third, 12th, 15th and 18th.She bogeyed the fourth in halves of 36-34.

Davidson, pictured below, who emigrated with her parents from Innerleithen to Australia when she was eight years old - she is now 18 - birdied the sixth, long ninth, short 14th and long 15th in halves of 34-36. Karis bogeyed the 13th.

Aberdeen-born Gemma Dryburgh, a winner already on the Australia women's pro tour, had a bad day at the office. She ran up a seven-over-par 80 and is T81 in the field of 127 players.

Kylie Walker, playing in her first tournament since her marriage to Scott Henry, had a 78 for a T57 placing with two rounds to go. There is a cut after the second round.

SCOREBOARD
par 73
70 Karis Davidson (Sco) (am), Michele Thomson (Sco), Aditi Ashok (India).
71 Rebecca Kay (Aus) (am), Pannarat Thanapolboonyar (Thai), Kath Kirk (Aus).

SELECTED SCORES
72 Annabel Dimmock (Eng) (T7).
74 Laura Davies (Eng), Holly Clyburn (Eng) (T16)
75 Charlotte Thomas (Eng) (T24)
76 Hannah Burke (Eng), Sarah-Jane Boyd (Eng) (T34)
78 Kylie (Walker) Henry (Sco) (T57)
79 Lydia Hall (Wal), Florentyna Parker (Eng) (T68)
80 Gemma Dryburgh (Sco) (T81).
81 Sophie Walker (Eng) (T97).

Field of 127 players