Scotland&aposs Catriona Matthew is the first-round leader at the Ladies Irish Open after an opening five-under-par. The 42-year-old carded a 67 to take a one-stroke lead from Sweden&aposs Pernilla Lindberg, who took the early clubhouse lead before the Scot leapfrogged her. Matthew opened with a par on the first hole before a run of seven birdies on the next eight holes to close out an astonishing front nine. She then managed another birdie at the 15th but closed out her round disappointingly with back-to-back bogeys. “It was very strange, actually,” said Matthew. “I played very steadily on the front nine and then just a silly three-putt on 18 for a bogey and I was out in one over. I made a good par on the first and then had seven birdies on the next eight holes and one bogey so kind of a strange nine but I&aposll take it. “It&aposs always nice when you see the putts dropping in.” Lindberg, 26, managed six birdies and two bogeys to sign for a four-under 68 in breezy, cool conditions at the Killeen Castle course. England&aposs Felicity Johnson is a shot behind Lindberg at three-under while compatriot Elizabeth Bennett, Swedes Sophie Gustafson and Caroline Westrup, Australian Rachel Bailey and German Anja Monke are tied at two-under. Bailey from Faulconbridge in NSW, is currently ranked 247th in the world.