IRISH golfers Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire struggled on the opening day of the women’s stroke play tournament.
World number one-ranked amateur Maguire fired a three over par round of 74 to end the day in a tie for 44th.
The 21-year-old from Co Cavan, went to the turn in one over par 36 with a birdie at the first cancelled out by dropped shots at the second and sixth.
A double bogey at the 10th followed by another dropped shot at the 15th set her back before a fine birdie at 16 helped her finish the day on three over par.
Maguire is one of only three amateurs in the field of 60 golfers.
Her fellow amateurs Albane Valenzuela (SUI) and Tiffany Chan (HKG) finished the day on level par.
Stephanie Meadow is three shots further back in a share of 51st place after signing for a six over par 77.
The 24-year-old had a difficult start to her Olympic campaign with bogeys at the first and second before stabilising with a par on three.
She birdied the fifth to go out in one over 36 but, like Maguire, she had a double bogey at the 10th.
Further dropped shots at the 12th, 14th, and 15th saw her come home in five over 41.
Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn lead the way on six under par.
