R1 LEADERBOARD US unless stated -6 C Matthew (GB), PM Zambrano, M Baena, H Daly-Donofrio, S-Y Kang (Kor) -5 N Taylor (Aus), M Redman, B Burton, P Hurst, R Hetherington (Aus), K Webb (Aus), H Alfredsson (Swe), M Lee (Kor), L Tadiotto (Bel) Selected others: -2 B Morgan (GB) -1 K Stupples (GB), J Moodie (GB) Level J Morley (GB) +1 K Marshall (GB) +2 J Head (GB) +3 L Davies (GB), M McKay (GB)

The defending champion, who was celebrating her 36th birthday, opened with three birdies and had eight in total to end up on eight under.

She shares the lead with Marisa Baena, Soo-Yun Kang, Paula Marti and Heather Daly-Donofrio.

"I drove the ball really well and that was the key," said Matthew.

"Staring off with three birdies was perfect. It settled the nerves of being the defending champion and gave me a lot of confidence.

"After that, I just started going for everything. The only real error was at my 17th where I came up short with my eight-iron tee shot and then three-putted."

Becky Morgan is the next placed Briton on two under while Karen Stupples and Janice Moodie, who are still hoping for a place in the Solheim Cup team, are one under.

Laura Davies is on three over after claiming two double bogeys in a 75.