Annabel Wilson is the leading Irish challenger after the opening round at the Hills Open where New Zealand's Momoka Kobori is the player to catch at Hills Golf & Sports Club.
Wilson carded a one-over par 72 to sit five shots off the lead. Olivia Mehaffey will start Saturday three-over par, two shots better off than Canice Screene, while Anna Foster finished on seven-over (tied for 71st) has her work cut out to make the cut, with the top 60 and ties after 36 holes to make the third round.
Sara Byrne looks highly unlikely to see third round action after an 82 saw her slump to 11-over par.
Clubhouse leader Kobori however has no such fears. In windy and testing conditions, the 26-year-old rose to the challenge and was able to set the early pace in Sweden with a four-under 67.
Kobori had a steady front nine with a birdie on the sixth, but made an impressive statement on the back nine, with three back-to-back birdies on 11, 12, and 13.
She then dropped a shot on 14, but bounced back with a birdie on the next hole.
Reflecting on her round, she said: "It was pretty tough out there with the wind. Before the round, I wanted to just go out and try to keep a good attitude and stay as patient as possible.
"I knew it was going to be tough out there on a tough golf course. I was able to make some really good pars and then once the opportunities came, I was able to capitalise on them. It was a game of patience out there.
"It doesn't really take a whole lot for things to go wrong and for the big numbers to sneak into play. I think it's key to try and play smart and eliminate the big numbers, which I think for the most part, I did reasonably well today."
