Sarah Kemp, Celine Herbin and Sally Watson shared the first round lead in the Ladies European Masters as temperatures soared to 26C at Buckinghamshire Golf Club on Thursday.
The moderate breeze was a welcome relief for spectators, but presented a challenge to the 144 players on the leafy parkland course just outside London.
French 31-year-old Herbin set the pace with a five-under-par 67 in the morning but was later joined by Australian Kemp and first year professional Watson of Scotland.
Kemp bemused spectators by wearing a striped jumper throughout her round as she rattled off five birdies.
"It was nice and solid," she said of her play.
"I didn't have a bogey, hit 15 greens and made a few good putts at the end. It was a good back nine and a nice birdie at the last.
"I really like the course. You've got chances on the par fives, to take your opportunity and some of them you can hit in two."
Watson, who will turn 23 next week, birdied the last two holes to join the leaders and later said: "I didn't get off to a great start as I bogeyed the first two holes but I did a great job of staying positive and focused and then I had a birdie on the third, which helped and I started to give myself lots of good chances."
Three players ended the first day a stroke further behind on four under; Caroline Masson of Germany, who finished third on the course last year, Becky Morgan of Wales and American Amelia Lewis.
Australia's defending champion Karrie Webb opened with a 73 for a share of 40th position, while Dame Laura Davies shot a 74 to sit in a tie for 58th, just inside the projected cut for Friday's second round.
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