Scotland’s Sally Watson, playing in just her second tournament in seven months, produced a majestic first round of two under par 70 to lead the inaugural 54-hole ANNIKA Invitational Tournament at the Ginn Reunion Resort in Florida. 

The Elie 17-year-old, who played in the Curtis Cup before undergoing reconstructive knee surgery in June last year, made her move over the suitably named Watson course with a run of four second half birdies at the tenth, 13th, 14th and 15th before she slipped back a little with bogeys at the 16th and 17th. 

She led the 60-strong field by two shots from a group of three players, and she said: “I was really happy with my game today. I've worked really hard the last three or four months since I got back from my knee surgery, and I'm happy that I was able to put everything together.

“I really had no expectations coming here after not playing in tournaments for such a long time. I just wanted to become comfortable competing again.”

Watson, a final year student at the David Leadbetter Academy in Florida, is heading for a golf scholarship at Stanford University in California later in the year. 

A new event backed by former world No.1 Annika Sorenstam, the Invitational is part of the American Junior Golf Association circuit and includes the best junior girl golfers from all over the world.

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update - Monday 9am

Sally's hot form in round one wasn't followed through in Sunday's round however, shooting an 84.  She is currently sitting 20th, but could finish in the top 15 if she performs well in Monday's final round.

She is currently eight shots behind the leader, Cindy Feng

Feng, who comes from China but now lives in Orlando in Florida, is only 12 and is the youngest player in the 60-strong worldwide field. But she demonstrated her huge potential with a 74 to lead by one from the unrelated Simin Feng.