Turkish Airlines Ladies Open: Melissa Reid leads after day one

Image source, Tristanjones/let

Image caption, Melissa Reid finished second in Morocco's Lalla Meryem Cup in March

Melissa Reid took a first-round lead in the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open - the first tournament on any major golf tour to finish on a Wednesday.

The 27-year-old English golfer shot an eight under par 65 in Belek on Sunday.

Reid, from Derby, fired eight birdies in Sunday's opening round, which hopes to boost the profile of the sport by ensuring the Ladies European Tour receives more live television coverage.

"I hadn't seen the course, so perhaps that's the way forward," said Reid.

"I walked 11 or 12 holes yesterday to look at a few tee shots, but I played about the last seven holes completely blind."

Reid's score bettered by one stroke the clubhouse lead previously held by her Solheim Cup partner, Dame Laura Davies.

"I drove it well, hit two dodgy tee shots and putted nicely," added four-time major winner Davies, 51, who is soon to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.