Stephanie Meadow's dream start to her professional career hit a speed bump when she opened with a five over 77 in the opening round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale.

The 22-year old from Jordanstown carded double bogeys at the ninth and 15th holes as well as bogeys at the first, fifth, 11th and 13th in a round that also featured three birdies.

As a result, she's tied for 86th and nine strokes behind first round leader Ayako Uehara of Japan, who opened with a four under 68 to lead by one from American Mo Martin.

Scores

Meadow qualified for the event on Monday, just a day after finishing joint third at the European Masters.

Last month, she finished third on her professional debut in the US Women's Open at Pinehurst No 2.

Needing close to $400,000 to secure her LPGA Tour card, Meadown has signed with agents Blue Giraffe Sports and will play in her third major in the space of a few weeks having received an exemption for the Wegmans LPGA Championship in New York next month.

Murphy just one behind in Motocaddy Masters

Waterville's Mark Murphy is just one stroke behind England's Neil Chaudhuri with a round to play in the Motocaddy Masters on the PGA Europro Tour.

The Kerryman shot a four under 67 at The Carrick on Loch Lomond to get to five under as Chaunduri posted a second consecutive 68 to retain the lead at six under par

Murphy, who is 62nd in the Order of Merit, had five birdies and one bogey on his card but it was a tough day for the rest of the Irish.

While Richard Kilpatrick (75) is tied 30th on six over with Tim Rice (73) 46th on eight over, Mick McGeady (+11), Matt McAlpin (+13), David Rawluk (+16), Rick Weldon (+20) and Brian Sweeney (+22) missed the eight over par cut.

Scores

Meanwhile, The HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour’s second stop in Ireland this summer sees the Walk In My Shoes Open at Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in County Carlow, July 30-August 1, supporting the St. Patrick’s Mental Health Foundation and promoting positive mental health.