South Africa’s Sonja Bland carded a one-over 76 to lead the Irish Senior Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship at Carlow.

Bland, who also led after the first round at Grange last year, heads the field by a shot from Canada’s Judith Kyrinis, Headfort’s Maria O’Reilly and American Gigi Higgins.

Ballybunion’s Margaret McAuliffe and Milltown’s Deirdre Walsh are tied for fifth on three-over while three-time Irish Senior Women’s Close champion Suzanne Corcoran from Portumna is seventh after a four-over 79.

Defending champion Beatriz Arenas from Guatemala carded an 88.

Irish Senior Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship, Carlow GC (Par 75)

Rd 1:

Detailed scores

76 S Bland (RSA);

77 J Kyrinis (Can), M O'Reilly (Headfort), G Higgins (USA);

78 M McAuliffe (Ballybunion), D Walsh (Milltown);

79 S Corcoran (Portumna);

80 L Henry (USA), T Quinn (USA), P Doran (Donabate), G McMullen (the Island);

81 L Culver (USA), C Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown), V Shannon (Lahinch), J Little (Can), A Taylor (Malahide);

82 T Caldabaugh (USA), B Neal (USA);

83 M Kaarnalahti (Fin), P Walsh (Headfort), N Beck (USA), C Creekmore (USA), O Foley (Headfort);

84 C Hopkins (Woodbrook), G Linter (Belvoir Park), I Steinberg (Can), S Mc Elroy (Grange), C Reilly (The Heath), M Duane (Hermitage);

85 K Evans (Royal County Down Ladies);

86 S O'Herlihy (Muskerry), M Maclaren (Royal Portrush), S Podolsky (USA), M Sudway (Old Conna ), E Tirante (Ita);

87 H Ekstrom (Fin), L Bolger (Carlow), S Caton (Eng), L Owens (Malahide);

88 M Campion (Killarney Golf & Fishing Club), B Arenas (Gua), F Corbett (Castletroy), D Lacey (Carlow), A Nolan (Grange), M Power (Dungarvan), P Murray (Naas);

89 M Gotfredson (USA), A Coduti (Ita), M Dempsey (Charlesland), I Brien (Eng), E Blackmon (USA);

90 M Melican (Old Conna), C Delaney (Carlow);

91 M Skog (Fin), M Conlon (Portarlington), K Lucey (Eng), B Swords-Cox (Carlow), S McCaffrey (Lucan), V Hassett (Lahinch);

93 E Neville (Bearna);

94 D Scarborough (Temple);

97 H Fogarty (Castlecomer), J Rafuse (Can).