Holly Aitchison leaves Scots trailing
Aitchison, who has never finished higher than tenth in three seasons on the Ladies' European Tour, had eight birdies in a five-under-par 67 and the 24-year-old led by two shots from Italy's Diana Luna, who won the German Open last month. Luna moved ominously into second, in her first appearance since that triumph in Germany a fortnight ago, with six birdies and three bogeys.
Aitchison credited a new putter for her impressive round, saying: "With the change I felt a lot more confident."
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Hide AdThe 24-year-old from Bedford then also revealed the reason she had made the unorthodox decision not to take any practice strokes on the green, adding: "It's instinct more than anything."
Queen, posted a two-over-par 74 and was tied for 24th place and one ahead of Comrie's 18-year-old Carly Booth. Vikki Laing (77), Kylie Walker (78), Lynn Kenny (79), Krystle Caithness (81) and Pamela Feggans (83) are Scots with work to do to make the 36-hole cut.