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Allianz Ladies Slovak Open: Scotland's Kylie Walker earns one-shot lead after opening round

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 04:  Kylie Walker of Scotland plays her second shot on the par 5, 10th hole during the first round of the 2013 Omega
Image: Kylie Walker of Scotland is looking for back-to-back victories on the Ladies European Tour

Kylie Walker carded a round of 68, four under par, to earn a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open on Thursday.

Walker, from Scotland, is now in pole position to claim back-to-back victories on the Ladies European Tour after winning her maiden title in the Deloitte Ladies Open in Holland three weeks ago.

The 27-year-old from Glasgow recorded a hat-trick of birdies from the third and another on the ninth took her to the turn in 31, before a first bogey of the day on the 13th.

I played good today. Holland was good fun, but it feels a long time ago. I have more belief, just being able to win in Holland in a play-off was great and it's a dream come true to win at this level, so I just want to do it more.
Kylie Walker

Walker bounced straight back with a birdie on the next and did likewise after another bogey on the 17th, while LET rookie Sally Watson carded six birdies and three bogeys in her 69.

Germany's Karolin Lampert, Spain's Patricia Sanz Barrio and France's Valentine Derrey were alongside Watson on three under, with English duo Lauren Taylor and Hannah Burke part of a six-strong group on two under.

Belief

Walker said: "I played good today. Holland was good fun, but it feels a long time ago. I have more belief, just being able to win in Holland in a play-off was great and it's a dream come true to win at this level, so I just want to do it more.

"I hit it in close a couple of times and was holing out well for par. I made four birdies on the front (nine). It's a course where you can hit good shots but end up in tricky spots, so it's really about hitting the correct spots on the greens and hitting the fairways to give yourself a good chance."

Watson, who started on the back nine with two bogeys and four birdies in her first six holes, added: "My back nine was a lot more solid. I got off to an up-and-down start and didn't have my first par until the seventh hole, so it was nice to steady the ship on the back nine and finish off with two birdies there."

A hole in one at the second was the perfect start for Derrey, who went immediately into the lead before carding a double bogey on the sixth.

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