Catriona is sitting handy in the US

CATRIONA Matthew is two shots off the pace and tied for eighth after the first round of the Kingsmill Championship in Virginia.

The 2009 Women’s British Open Champion picked up shots on the third and fourth, then on the sixth and seventh to go four-under-par at the turn.

However, the Scot from Edinburgh could not replicate her form on the back nine as she shot 35 for an opening round of 67.

Five players, Jaye Marie Green, Jessica Korda, Annie Park, Azahara Munoz and In Gee Chun, went round in 65, while Nasa Hataoka and Ariya Jutanugarn carded 66.

Mel Reid sits tied for 29th on two under, picking up three birdies and dropping a shot on the par-four fourth, while Laura Davies and Georgia Hall went around in an even 71 and are tied for 71st.

MARC Leishman hit two eagles in a 10-under round of 61 to take a commanding three-shot lead after the first day of the AT&T Byron Nelson in Dallas.

The Australian set out his stall early, holing a short putt for three at the par-five first and notching up two birdies in the front nine to go four-under at the turn.

A trio of consecutive birdies followed and his second eagle of the day came at the par-five 14th from a 13ft putt.

Leishman said: “I didn’t even think about 59. Every other time I have been close to it I have thought about it.

“I didn’t get ahead of myself which was good. 61, I’ll take that.”

JJ Spaun and Jimmy Walker, sit on sevenunder, the former carding six birdies in seven holes.

A chasing pack of eight sit a shot behind that and tied for fourth, while Seamus Power is at five-under with 11 other players.

Graeme McDowell carded a 67 to sit tied for 23rd, an eagle on the seventh cancelled out by dropped shots on the 9th and 18th.