Clare Queen only Scot on Song

QUALIFIER Clare Queen provided the only encouraging peformance on a disappointing day for the five Scots in the Handa Australian Women's Open.

The 27-year-old Carrick on Loch Lomond player had a two-under-par 71, including an eagle-3 at the 13th, to tie for 16th at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne.

Queen is four shots behind the joint leaders, Korea's world No 1 Jiyai Shin and American Jennifer Song, with Comrie's Carly Booth the next best among the Scots after a four-over 77 which included dropped shots at each of her last three holes.

It was a horror start to the year for Vikki Laing, who slumped to a ten-over-par 83, as well as Krystle Caithness and Kylie Walker, who opened with 84s. Shin and Song were both blemish free as they carved out a one-shot lead over Ireland's Rebecca Coakley.