New South Wales’ Karen Lunn has continued her great start to the year with a round of 4-under par 68 to share the lead with Sydney’s Rachel Bailey after the opening round of the Bing Lee / Samsung Women’s NSW Open played at Oatlands Golf Club today.

Both Lunn and Bailey sit atop a jam packed leaderboard, with no fewer than 21 players within three shots.

The morning players had to contend with persistent showers, while the afternoon field faced overcast and blustery conditions.   

Lunn, whose round included six birdies and two bogeys, said after her round “I’ve been playing well for a while, I’m hitting the ball well, my short game is pretty sound.”

“You just have to ride the wave for as long as it lasts. You don't know how long it's going to last in this game. I’m playing well, feeling pretty healthy, my body is pretty good at the moment which, obviously when you get to my age, is one of the key elements.” added Lunn, a nine time winner on the Ladies European Tour.

Bailey, who is returning after hip surgery mid last year, was happy with her round which started with a bogey, but then posted five birdies in her remaining holes.

“I played really consistent, hit nearly every fairway and made some clutch putts. The greens are really soft, so you could throw it in there like a dart” she said after her round. “I hit some close, made a couple of putts, made pars on everything else. I putted really well, even from 20-30 feet, I was still putting well,” Bailey added.

Click here for all the scores.