<div><p>Germany's Sandra Gal fired a three-under par 69 to take a one-shot lead as blustery winds sent scores soaring in the first round of the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes on Thursday.</p><p>American Angela Stanford and South Korean Kim Song-Hee were a shot behind, but world number one Lorena Ochoa struggled to a 75 and defending champion Shin Ji-Yai had a 77.</p><p>The day's biggest loser was France's Gwladys Nocera, last year's European number one carding a couple of eights in an embarrassing round of 91, a huge 19 over par.</p><p>"It was just a really bad day," admitted the Frenchwoman.</p><p>Gal, in the second last match of the day, snatched the outright lead with a great five-birdie round.</p><p>At the last, she produced one of the shots of the day from deep rough right of the green, hitting it to three feet to save par.</p><p>"It's only the first day, but I'm delighted to be at the top," said the 24-year-old world number 69.</p><p>"The third shot at the 18th was one of the best of my career."</p><p>Stanford, meanwhile, was delighted by a round highlighted by an eagle three courtesy of a monster putt at the long seventh, while 19-year-old Michelle Wie, with a 73, also coped admirably with the testing conditions.</p><p>Desperate for the first professional victory that would secure a Solheim Cup place, the American teenager wants to record her first professional victory in the final major of the season.</p><p>It is also the last event before captain Beth Daniel names her US Solheim team.</p><p>"The wind was tough and any score under par today was exceptional," said Wie of a three-birdie round.</p><p>"I'm used to it blowing in Hawaii, but here it is 30 degrees colder.</p><p>"I sprayed a couple of irons out there and had a few errant shots. But I stayed patient and I'm happy. I love playing in the British Open because the crowds are so respectful. I didn't hear one cellphone today."</p><p>Her longest putt was from 32 feet for her first birdie of the day at the 17th, while she also holed a vital 20 foot effort to save par at the 15th.</p><p>"Making good saves will be key all this week," she predicted.</p><p>Stanford didn't go overboard on preparation. She spent the early week on holiday in Rome before flying in to England and squeezing in one quick practice round on Wednesday afternoon.</p><p>"I've played here twice before, so I know the course," she said. "I loved Rome and I'm definitely pleased I went there."</p><p>Kim, without a win in her three years on the LPGA Tour, took the outright lead when she got to four under with a flawless first 13 holes, but she dropped shots over the closing stretch.</p><p>"I usually hit the ball high, but today I hit it lower and it worked," she said.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=55862107&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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