Linnea Ström in the lead after the first day at the Lalla Meryem Cup

Linnea Ström has never won on the European Tour.

But at the Lalla Meryem Cup, the Swede has had a strong start.

She accounted for eight birdies and leads by two strokes after the first day.

- I am very happy because it is a real challenge out there.

But I prefer tough courses and I think it suits me well.

I am very proud of how I played today, says Ström to the competition organizer.

Even Stark at the top

Last year she came close to taking her first victory, when she came second at the Madrid Ladies Open.

Maja Stark is also at the top after the first day, in shared fourth place.