Scots help secure a winning start

ASTOR TROPHY: Scots Kelsey MacDonald and Pamela Pretswell turned up trumps for captain Tegwen Matthews as Great Britain and Ireland started their five-day Astor Trophy campaign by beating Australia 5-2 at Fairhaven Golf Club, Lytham St Annes in Lancashire.

Pre-tournament favourites New Zealand, with the world Nos 1 and 2 in their line-up, beat South Africa 4.5 to 2.5

MacDonald and Pretswell, who had halved the last six holes on their way to a tension-packed square match with Breanna Elliott and Ashley Ona in the foursomes, were both under par in winning their singles ties. MacDonald, making her debut for GB & I this week, won by 6 and 5 against Cathleen Santoso. Kelsey was two under par. Two birdies on the front nine saw her four up at the turn and a birdie at the tenth increased the Stirling student's lead to five holes.

Pretswell birdied four out of six holes from the ninth to the 14th on her way to a 4 and 3 win over Elliott.