A birdie at the final hole gave rising US star Brittany Lincicome a share of the first-round lead at the Evian Masters in France yesterday.

The 21-year-old American, who won her second career victory at the Ginn Open on the LPGA Tour in April, produced a round of 66 at Evian Royal Resort to tie the lead with fellow American Pat Hurst, and LPGA rookie Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea.

Lincicome was within five inches of an albatross at the ninth hole following an excellent approach shot that fell just short of the pin, but took an eagle there, in addition to her five birdies and one bogey.

She admitted it took her a while to get into her game. "It kind of started a little slow then I finally made a couple birdies. Then I made an eagle and I was like 'okay'," she said.

"I was trying to get it to about six (under-par) so that if anyone got to seven I would still be kind of close."

Hurst and Ji were clubhouse leaders at lunchtime, after posting early rounds of 66.

Recent French Ladies' Open champion Linda Wessberg of Sweden was among the European pace-setters, posting an impressive three-under-par 69.

"I was struggling pretty badly for a while there, so I'm very happy," said Wessberg

Meanwhile England's Laura Davies delighted the crowd by sinking a 45ft putt for eagle on the final hole. Last year's joint runner-up, Davies finished on one-under-par 71 but was aiming for greater consistency in her second round.

She said: "It was a strange old day really. I missed too many fairways, that was the big problem.

"When I was in the rough we couldn't control it, when we were on the fairway we hit lovely shots. The key tomorrow is just a bit more care, really."

The American teenager, Michelle Wie, who finished tied for second with Davies at last year's event, was pleased to have posted a 73 for a share of 37th place.

"I can take so many positives out of this round and that's what I'm going to do," said the 17-year-old, who added that the wrist injury that had blighted much of her year had virtually disappeared.

"The pain was definitely not as bad so I know I'm definitely on the road to recovery," she added.

Venue change

The unrelenting rainfall that has overwhelmed Wales's south coast and caused massive flooding in south east England over the past seven days has forced the Firstplus Wales Challenge to move from the Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort's Wales National Course to The Lake Course.

With already saturated fairways on the Wales National Course, yesterday morning's incessant downpour saw the first round postponed until today, and then rendered the original tournament venue unplayable as it continued throughout the afternoon.

That forced European Challenge Tour Officials, after consultation with the tournament sponsors Firstplus and event organisers Ryder Cup Wales, to switch venues to the Vale's other championship course, The Lakes Course.

Leinster double

The Leinster Youths Team captured their fourth win in a row in the Golfsure-sponsored Youths Interprovincial Championship at Donegal Golf Club yesterday, while the Leinster Boys secured the boys equivalent title.

Niall Kearney was the star of the Leinster Youths team with five wins from five matches including a chip in on the final hole on day one to secure a one-hole win over Munster's Jason Tobin and a vital half point in the tie.

The Leinster Youths team went on to beat Connacht on day two before overcoming Ulster in yesterday's Championship decider.

The Leinster Boys won all three ties, with 7-2 wins over both Connacht and Munster on the opening two days followed by a narrow 5-4 win over the holders, Ulster.

Fairweather in touch

Colin Fairweather is just two shots off the lead after the first round of the European Young Masters Championship at Bondues GC, Lille, France yesterday.

Fairweather, who reached the turn in the lead on three-under-par, finished on level par 72.

At three under 69, Romain Wattel, from France, shares the lead with the England's Oscar Sharpe, who is a member of England's under-16 squad, and is playing the tournament for the first time.

Iarlaith Keane is well off the pace after an opening round of 85.

In the girls championship Sarah Louise Winter posted Ireland's best score of the day with a five-over-par 77 to lie in 15th place. Stephanie Meadow is not far behind in 25th place after returning an 80. Carly Booth from Scotland leads on 69.

England in final

England beat Sweden 3-2 to reach the final of the European senior ladies' team championship at Royal Drottningholms in Sweden.

England will face France, who beat Scotland 3½-1½, in today's final, in an action replay of last year's championship.

On that occasion England were beaten on the last putt on the last green - and now they're looking for revenge.

France beat Scotland 3½-1½ in a match in which three singles games went into extra time.

Ireland will play Switzerland in the play-off for ninth and 10th places