Webb in charge

Australia's world number one Karrie Webb shot a super five-under-par 68 to take control after the first round of the British Women's Open at Royal Birkdale.

In wild and windy conditions, the two-time former champion had a bogey-free round and led by two shots from five players - Swedes Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson and Americans Juli Inkster, Becky Iverson and Susie Redman.

Trish Johnson and local Lancashire player Kirsty Taylor headed the British challenge, another shot back on two-under 71. But nobody could match Webb, regarded as the Tiger Woods of the women's game after winning seven times this year, including two majors - the Nabisco Championship and US Open.

And it would have been one shot better if she hadn't three-putted for par at the long 18th. "I'm pleased it was windy, because it gives the course real character. It keeps you on your toes," said a delighted Webb. "I played a really solid round today."

Taylor opened with an eagle and finished with a birdie over a links that are so familiar to the former Lancashire county player, but Johnson's start and end were less impressive. The winner of the British Masters had to rely on a good middle.

Johnson had a bogey at the second and failed to make birdie at either of the relatively easy par-five 17th and 18th holes. "I started poorly and it wasn't a nice way to finish," admitted Johnson. "But, overall, it was okay."

Laura Davies, winner when the event was last held at Birkdale in 1986, had a disappointing 76.