Kelli Kuehne shot an outstanding eight-under-par 64 to take a three-shot lead in the women's US Open at Old Waverly in West Point, Mississippi yesterday.

Kuehne's closest rival was fellow American Moira Dunn three shots back on 67, two shots ahead of a group of four, which included Sweden's Catrin Nilsmark.

Briton Kathryn Marshall's run of good fortune had continued as she set the early pace with an opening two-under-par round of 70.

Leading first-round scores: (US unless stated): 64 - K Kuehne. 67 - M Dunn. 69 - AJ Eathorne (Can), A Fukushima (Jap), C Matthew (Brit), C Nilsmark (Swed). 70 - R Hetherington (Aust), B King, M Mallon, K Marshall (Brit), M Saiki, W Ward.