Annika Sorenstam was making good use of fine early conditions today just as Lorena Ochoa did in the opening round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at St Andrews.

Delighted with her one-under-par 72 since it came when the wind was at its toughest yesterday afternoon, Sorenstam had five strokes to make up on the player who earlier this year took the world number one spot from her.

The Swede, armed with the yardage book used by Tiger Woods when he won on the Old Course in 2000 and 2005, had also received a "good luck" text message before beginning her bid for an 11th major — one less than him.

And fortune did indeed favour Sorenstam after she teed off at 6.52am — long before most of the crowd had arrived, of course.

On the long fifth her chip from the right rough hit the flagstick at some speed and stopped just inches away.

She tapped in for birdie and when she then made a two on the short eighth the 2003 winner had moved into a tie for third place three behind Mexican Ochoa, who was among the later starters expecting to face stiffer conditions.

Another Swede, Sorenstam's former Solheim Cup team-mate and then captain Catrin Nilsmark, was up to three under after going to the turn in 34. And this only four days after coming through a play-off in the qualifying competition for the event.

On the same mark after birdies at the second and sixth was defending champion Sherri Steinhauer, while fellow American Juli Inkster eagled fifth and had birdies at the first and sixth. But coming as they did after an opening 79 she was still only two over.

That was two better than playing partner Laura Davies, who did at least start to repair the damage of her first-round 79 with birdies at the fifth and sixth.