Maria Dunne, Olivia Mehaffey and Paula Grant are just three shots off the lead after the opening round of the Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship at Royal Troon.

The Irish trio opened with two under 73s around the Portland Course to finish the day tied for seventh behind Wentworth's Annabel Dimmock, who had six birdies in a five under 70.

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With the Curtis Cup side set to be announced on May 6, Irish Close champion Grant is one several Irish hopefuls determined to put in a big performance.

“I would love to get on the Curtis Cup team when that’s picked at the Welsh Open Strokeplay,” she said before heading to Scotland. “I’m fourth in the LGU Order of Merit and the top two get on the Curtis Cup team automatically. 

"There are two picks as well, and four from the World Amateur Golf Rankings so I’m just hoping to play well in the Scottish and Welsh and make that team. It’s a big goal.”

Dimmock is a shot clear of Gemma Clews (71) of Delamere Forest with Alyson McKechin, Rosie Davies and Lauren Whyte tied third after 72s.

Lahinch's Sinead Sexton and Casteltroy's Chloe Ryan are tied 12th after one under 74s with Carlow's Aedin Murphy and Ballybunion's Emma O'Driscoll back in 22nd after one over 76s.

Seapoint's Carla Reynolds had five birdies in a 77 to lie 32nd on two over with Amy Farrell (79), Mary Doyle (80), Scottish Under 16 Open Stroke Play champion Julie McCarthy (80) and Gillian O'Leary (83) the other Irish scores.