Home favourite Gwladys Nocera bounced back from the disappointment of last week's Solheim Cup to lead after the first round of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
Nocera, who was part of the European team which squandered a 10-6 lead to lose to the United States in Germany, carded five birdies and no bogeys in a flawless 65 to finish a shot ahead of compatriot Celine Herbin at Golf de Chantaco.
"I started the day a little bit slow and after a couple of holes I told myself, 'You decided to come here, you've always wanted to win this tournament, so get your act together and play golf,'" the 40-year-old said.
"Sometimes after two tough weeks like we went through, it's easy not to give everything you have because you're tired, but I really want to win this tournament and I think in the back of my head it hit me. I kept on playing better and made a few putts, so it's really nice to end the day like that."
Solheim Cup team-mates Charley Hull and Azahara Munoz - who is seeking a third straight win in the event - were among nine players on two under par, but Carlota Ciganda finished on level par after shanking two balls out of bounds to run up a quadruple-bogey eight on the 18th.
Source: PA
