ULVERSTON's Natasha Slater battled the winds to shoot one-under 71 and share the first round lead with Lancashire champion Brogan Townend in the English women’s open stroke play championship

The competitors were tested all day by a stiff breeze across St Annes Old Links, Lancashire, which freshened during the afternoon and made scoring difficult.

However, there’s a host of players well in touch, with 22 of them within five shots of the leaders.

Slater was the first to set the tournament pace and her score marked a turnaround in golfing fortunes for the 15-year-old.

She missed the cut in last week’s English girls’ championship, spent the time in between clearing her head and practising - and it paid off.

“I’m really pleased,” she said. “I came without much expectation because it’s a big competition. I just wanted to do well.”

The strong winds called for extra concentration but Slater’s home course is also a links layout and she felt comfortable.

She also enjoyed a hot putter, holing from 20ft, 30ft and 50ft for three of her four birdies.

“The greens here are class, they’re amazing,” she commented.

Slater is no stranger to low scores. Last year she was two-under when she won the Scottish U14 championship.