Irish trio Lauren Walsh, Canice Screene and Sara Byrne all produced brilliant first rounds to sit within striking range of the leaders at the Swiss Ladies Open.
English rookie Esme Hamilton leads the way on seven-under par after a bogey-free opening day at Golfpark Holzhäusern, but she has a trio of Irish players in hot pursuit.
Walsh, who turned 24 today, is best of those as she sits in a tie for third on three-under with defending champion Alice Hewson one of those alongside her.
Starting on the 10th hole, Walsh didn't drop a shot for 14 holes, collecting five birdies in the process.
She did fall back with a bogey at the sixth hole, but recovered with a closing birdie.
Screene, who also teed off from 10, is one shot further back on four-under par.
She actually had a tricky opening nine, going out in 37 to sit over par heading to the first hole.
She excelled from there though with five birdies on her closing nine.
Byrne is also right in the mix after a first-round 68 left her on three-under par.
As was the case for all five Irish golfers, she started on the 10th and was two-under within her opening four holes with the rest of her card dotted with three more birdies and two bogeys.
Armagh's Annabel Wilson can also be happy with Thursday’s work having signed for a one-under 70 – a score that would have been even better only for a double bogey on the par-three third.
It was a difficult opening round for Olivia Mehaffey however as she sits on four-over par and just inside the top 100.
"It was a really good day", birthday girl Walsh told the Ladies European Tour. "It’s my birthday too so just all smiles all day. Just got to enjoy it whatever happens, so, definitely an enjoyable day. I putted it really well, and held a couple of putts so good overall."
The Irish golfer has fond memories of this course, having secured a tie for third place here last year.
"The course is playing a little different compared to last year.
"Some of the holes are playing a touch longer. The greens are a little bit softer. Overall, it's always nice to come back to somewhere you enjoy playing, where you’ve played well, and it's just good memories.
"I seem to always putt well on these greens which is good. I think it's more good memories than anything."
