Ninety-four ladies took to the Majlis Course in the first round yesterday in perfect weather conditions, which led to some excellent scoring in the early groups. Natalie McLean (Emirates Golf Club) posted the clubhouse lead with a superb round of 81 thanks to some excellent golf on the outward nine and despite a shaky run at the beginning of the back-9, came back strongly with birdies at the 15th and 16th holes to record her best competitive round to date.

It is however, Lesley who takes the plaudits on the first day of this prestigious event as she birdied the 6th and 8th holes, two of the toughest holes on the course, to get her round going before a steady 3-over par back-9 saw him home with 78 and a three shot lead over the field.

Lesley and Natalie will be joined in the final group by Agnes Anwar (Arabian Ranches Golf Club) who took advantage of the benign early morning conditions to score 82 and get herself in contention.

Also with 82 in the first round was defending champion, Mitsuko Emmerson (EGC) who knows the Majlis Course as well as anyone and will be keen to post a challenge early in the final round.

A disappointing double bogey at the last may yet cost her the chance to defend her title successfully but the leaders will know that she is the player to watch today. Jennifer Schumpp (Abu Dhabi Golf Club) kept her hopes alive with 83 and if she can repeat her first round front-9 today, she may well find herself in the mix.

Three players are sitting just seven strokes adrift, waiting for the leaders to falter including another international player in Gillian Curley (Northamptonshire Golf Club, England) who will have gained some valuable knowledge of the course in round 1.

Karen Black (Doha Golf Club) played a fantastic round of 85 as did Rosemary Turlik (United Arab Emirates Golf Association) as her strong finish, only dropping one shot in the last four holes sees a welcome return to form.