YORK professional Kirsty Taylor had a fine first round of 71, two under par, to be well up the leader board in the women's British Open golf Championship at Royal Birkdale.

Taylor, who comes from Clitheroe but now lives in Stillington and is a member of The York Golf Club, Strensall, had an incident-packed round before finishing three shots behind overnight leader, Australian Karrie Webb, the world number one.

Taylor's round included three birdies, an eagle, three three-putts and a drive which finished in a rucksack.

Her 71 put her level with Trish Johnson as the highest-placed British players at the end of the first day and kept up her good form this year.

Taylor, who is doing well on the Evian European Women's Tour, said: "It was vital to get a decent first round in. On a course like this you can't afford to let anyone get away into a big lead."