Scot Clare Queen made her best start of the season with a two under par 70 and was just three strokes behind two French leaders, Gwladys Nocera and Jade Schaeffer, after the first round of the ABN Amro Ladies' Dutch Open in Eindhoven.

Queen, who equalled her career best with a tie for sixth in last month's Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies' Scottish Open, started on the back nine and went out in 37.

She then soared through the field with birdies at the fourth, sixth and ninth in a great second nine of 33 and was in a tie for tenth place.

Nocera, bidding to add the title to her win in the Scottish Open at the Carrick, had three birdies and an eagle at the long ninth, while Schaeffer also highlighted her 67 with a three at the ninth.

The pair led by a shot from a group of five players that included Ireland's Rebecca Coakley and English rookie Melissa Reid.

The other three Scots failed to break par. Lynn Kenny had a 74, rookie Jenna Wilson was on 77 and Kathryn Imrie posted a disappointing 78.