(Remeteségpuszta, Hungary July 16 2004) Minea Blomqvist from Finland had the round of her life as she took the first round lead at the €165,000 OTP Bank Ladies Central European after a scintillating display of shot-making as she lowered the course record by three shots after a nine under par 62 at Old Lake Golf and Country Club in Tata, an hour from the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Blomqvist – this one for five in a row!

“I’ve been playing very steady lately and I’ve been strong mentally and it’s great to be able to just go out and play without thinking too much. Sometimes I used to get a little stressed but now I just concentrate on playing like I know I can.

“Actually, I didn’t really feel I played that well and it was only on the last hole I realised how many under par I was. I felt good all day and very comfortable with my wedges and the putts all went in when it mattered.”

Monnet, who turned 26 on Wednesday, also produced a faultless round with six birdies, three on either half of the course to and the Frenchwoman whose best finish this season so far was tied for eighth at the KLM Ladies Open in Holland, feels her game is returning to the form which saw her finish third on the LET Order of Merit in 2000 and fourth in 2001.

“It feels good to have a score like that again,” admitted Monnet, who was often noted for being one of the most accurate players in women’s golf from tee to green.

“It’s been a long time coming. It’s been a very strange year for me so far, but each week, I go out there and try my best every time and I’m going to try and keep going.

“I took a long winter break teaching at Paris Country Club and it felt good coming back out on Tour. It’s taken a little time to all settle in, but I’m really happy with today’s performance.”