Laura Davies, the first woman to compete in an Australasian or European men's tour event, said she felt the pressure during her opening three-over-par 75 at the co-sanctioned ANZ Championship in Australia yesterday.

　　The 40-year-old Briton was joint 127th midway through the first round after recording two birdies and five bogeys at the Horizons Golf Resort north of Sydney.

　　"I don't know if this was a good idea or not," the former world No. 1 said. "It's doubtful with my temperament I'd ever be able to relax enough to do well. I just can't play my normal game. I didn't sleep a lot last night to be honest.

　　"The trouble is for these guys it's an ordinary event. For them they are just trying to win it and I'm out there under all sorts of pressure."

　　The big-hitting Davies scored -1 point for her round in the modified stableford system that rewards attacking golf.

　　France's Jean Van De Velde, who blew a three-shot lead on the 72nd hole before losing a playoff at the 1999 British Open, was alongside Davies on -1 point after his two-over 74.

　　Players receive eight points for an albatross, five for an eagle, two for a birdie, none for a par, minus one for a bogey and minus three for a multiple bogey.

　　Despite her doubts, Davies remained hopeful of making the cut.

　　"To be honest I'm enjoying it, even though it's high pressure. I'm glad I'm doing it," she said.

　　"I just hope I have a chance to make the cut tomorrow. I know how well I can play but I'm finding it quite hard to be relaxed enough to let the really good stuff come out."

　　Davies birdied her 13th and 17th holes, the par-five fourth and par-three eighth, after five bogeys and six regulation figures in her first 11.

　　"I eventually relaxed when I hit a five-iron into the seventh hole. That was a really good shot," she said.

　　"I really enjoyed the last two holes but if I'm honest I was just scared of making a fool of myself all the way round."

　　Australia's Nick O'Hern was the clubhouse leader on +18 points ahead of Briton John Bickerton on +16. Both shot eight-under-par 64s.