Trish Johnson kept her Solheim hopes alive with a 70

Sara Beautell holds a one-shot lead after the first round at a windswept Royal Porthcawl.

The 27-year-old Spaniard has recorded just two top 10 finishes in four seasons on tour, but was the only player to have a bogey-free day after shooting a five-under-par 68.

She leads by one from another unfancied contender, France's Stephanie Arricau.

England's Trish Johnson boosted her hopes of a return to the Solheim Cup team with a 70 to leave her tied for third with compatriot Rachel Bailey.

Johnson, 37, needs a top three finish to have a chance of climbing into the top seven automatic selections in the Solheim rankings before European captain Catrin Nilsmark names the team on Monday.

Sara's five under is amazing Trish Johnson

A club member during her amateur days, Johnson admitted she had enjoyed the benefit of a few 'member's bounces'.

"I got really lucky a couple of times, but quite right too," she joked. "I knew you needed to par the first four holes and then take some chances.

"Before I set out I thought that level par would be a very good score, so Sara's five under is amazing."

Bailey, whose one moment of glory was a victory in the Biarritz Classic two years ago, had four birdies and just one bogey in her 70.

"On a day like today I was really chuffed with the score," said the 29-year-old from Burton-on-Trent.

Laura Davies, the only Briton to have already secured a Solheim place for next month's match in Sweden, opened with a 76.

Wales' Eleanor Pilgrim was one of the few to shoot under par, even though her 72 included a quintuple bogey nine at the second where she lost two balls.

She finished in joint sixth at one under, with Wales' leading amateur Becky Brewerton a shot further back in joint eighth.

Wachovia Classic

Meg Mallon shot a six-under 66 to open up a three-stroke lead over Kim Saiki and Janice Moodie.

Mallon had five birdies on the front nine to finish at 10-under for the tournament at the Berkleigh Country Club course.

But Saiki carded five straight birdies to shoot 65, the best round so far.

"It felt great," Saiki said afterwards. "You're just kind of in a zone - nothing fazes you."

Saiki is now confident of landing her first LPGA victory.

"I know I can win a golf tournament. I've been in contention so many times. It's just a matter of making putts."