Germany's Sandra Gal fired a three-under par 69 to take a one-shot lead as blustery winds sent scores soaring in the first round of the Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes on Thursday.

American Angela Stanford and South Korean Kim Song-Hee were a shot behind, but world number one Lorena Ochoa struggled to a 75 and defending champion Shin Ji-Yai had a 77.

The day's biggest loser was France's Gwladys Nocera, last year's European number one carding a couple of eights in an embarrassing round of 91, a huge 19 over par.

"It was just a really bad day," admitted the Frenchwoman.

Gal, in the second last match of the day, snatched the outright lead with a great five-birdie round.

At the last, she produced one of the shots of the day from deep rough right of the green, hitting it to three feet to save par.

"It's only the first day, but I'm delighted to be at the top," said the 24-year-old world number 69.

"The third shot at the 18th was one of the best of my career."

Stanford, meanwhile, was delighted by a round highlighted by an eagle three courtesy of a monster putt at the long seventh, while 19-year-old Michelle Wie, with a 73, also coped admirably with the testing conditions.

Desperate for the first professional victory that would secure a Solheim Cup place, the American teenager wants to record her first professional victory in the final major of the season.

It is also the last event before captain Beth Daniel names her US Solheim team.

Wie used to conditions

"The wind was tough and any score under par today was exceptional," said Wie of a three-birdie round.

"I'm used to it blowing in Hawaii, but here it is 30 degrees colder.

"I sprayed a couple of irons out there and had a few errant shots. But I stayed patient and I'm happy. I love playing in the British Open because the crowds are so respectful. I didn't hear one cellphone today."

Her longest putt was from 32 feet for her first birdie of the day at the 17th, while she also holed a vital 20 foot effort to save par at the 15th.

"Making good saves will be key all this week," she predicted.

Stanford didn't go overboard on preparation. She spent the early week on holiday in Rome before flying in to England and squeezing in one quick practice round on Wednesday afternoon.

"I've played here twice before, so I know the course," she said. "I loved Rome and I'm definitely pleased I went there."

Kim, without a win in her three years on the LPGA Tour, took the outright lead when she got to four under with a flawless first 13 holes, but she dropped shots over the closing stretch.

"I usually hit the ball high, but today I hit it lower and it worked," she said.