Lottie Woad made a strong start to the final week of play before next month's Solheim Cup by shooting a four-under opening round at the LPGA Tour's FM Championship. England's Woad is one of 12 members of Anna Nordqvist's European team heading to the Netherlands for the September 11-13 showpiece, live on Sky Sports, and she shot a 68 at TPC Boston on Thursday to sit four shots off the pace set by Korea's Sei Young Kim.

Woad, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour since turning professional last year, picked up all four of her birdies on the front nine to go out in 32 before parring all the remaining holes. She said she generally played better on the front nine, hitting most fairways and making tap-ins, while acknowledging a few errant tee shots on the back nine cost her birdie chances. Sei Young Kim led with a 64, featuring six birdies and an eagle on the par-five seventh.

Denmark's Emily Kristine Pedersen and Japan's Miyu Yamashita finished at seven-under, with Somi Lee at six-under, making two Koreans in the top four. Woad was in an eight-way tie for fifth place. Solheim Cup teammate Charley Hull shot a one-under 71, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda shot level-par 72. European captain Anna Nordqvist, who announced her retirement from professional golf after this week, opened her swansong at two-over par.