American veteran Inkster has won seven majors in a fine career

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-6 J Inkster (US)
-3 S Cavalleri (Ita), M Hjorth (Swe)
-2 A Hanna (US), N Reis (Swe), G Nocera (Fra)
Selected others:
Level L Davies (Eng), N Gulbis (US), A Sorenstam (Swe), P Creamer (US)

American veteran Juli Inkster fired a six-under 66 to lead the Women's British Open by three shots at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 46-year-old was clear of Italy's Silvia Cavalleri and Sweden's Maria Hjorth after round one on Thursday.

America's Allison Hanna, Swede Nina Reis and France's Gwladys Nocera were one shot further back on two under.

World number one Annika Sorenstam and England's Laura Davies carded 72 but America's Michelle Wie was two over.

Interview: Laura Davies

Interview: Michelle Wie

Inkster, who has won every other major and seven in all, fired five birdies and an eagle as she strives to become the oldest winner of a women's major. American Fay Crocker was 45 when she won the 1960 Titleholders Championship.

The last two holes ruined my day Annika Sorenstam

"I never seem to have done particularly well at the British Open and always seem to be chasing the horse. It's nice to be the horse," said Inkster, who won her first major in 1984 and her most recent at the 2002 US Women's Open.

"But there are still three rounds to play. I shot 66 today and someone else can do that tomorrow."

Sweden's Sorenstam, the winner when the championship was last staged at Lytham three years ago, was heading for a sub-70 score until she finished double-bogey, bogey.

"The last two holes ruined my day," said 35-year-old Sorenstam, who has won 10 majors.

Davies, who made birdies at the seventh, 11th and 15th, was satisfied with her opening effort.

"I was two over after five holes but then settled. It wasn't a great round, but it was steady," said the four-time major winner.

I couldn't get any momentum going Michelle Wie

The 16-year-old Wie, among the hot favourites at Royal Lytham, opened with three bogeys after starting alongside Davies at 0736 BST but birdied the last for a 74.

"You think you know links golf, but I guess you don't," said Wie, who is still searching for her first win since turning professional last year.

"I was up at 4.30am and spent a little time in the gym but I still just felt half alive. I couldn't get any momentum going.

"It was also a little weird because my mind set was on hitting low shots in strong winds. But I really should have adapted a little quicker."