CARLOW student Aedin Murphy produced the round of her life to sweep to the top of the leaderboard in the first qualifying round of the British Women’s Open Amateur Championship at Royal St David’s, Harlech last night.

The 20-year-old, who won her first Irish international cap last September, was in the final group out on the course and she fired a sensational six-under-par 67.

She heads into the second and final qualifying round today two strokes clear of Spaniard Azahara Munoz with fellow countrywoman Carlota Ciganda a further stroke adrift.

Murphy, who won the Cork Scratch Cup earlier in the year but has not played much since because of exams, was out in one-under-par 36 and then after two pars the fireworks began. She pitched in for an eagle three at the 12th and picked up birdies at three of the next four holes and finished with a par three for a back nine of 31. “It was amazing – the best round of my career,” she said.

Danielle McVeigh was also in splendid form and posted a 72 while there were mixed fortunes for the 14-year-old Maguire sisters playing in the championship for the first time. Lisa, the Irish champion, dropped five strokes in the first two holes due to bunker problems and took 45 to the turn but came home in 36 for an 81. Leona had halves of 42 and 34 and is well in the hunt for a matchplay spot with her 76.

Niamh Kitching handed in a 74 while Co Louth’s Jennifer Gannon was cursing a triple bogey seven on the 17th where she lost the ball in thick rough in a round of 79.