FERNDOWN star Hayley Davis carded the third best score for England on the opening day of their European ladies team championship in Austria.

Davis, who was one-under-par on her back nine, finished with a level par 72 on the Murhof course.

England’s top performer was 15-year-old Charley Hull with a 70, while Charlotte Ellis was the next best on 71.

The team’s other two counting scores were provided by Holly Clyburn (74) and Kelly Tidy (76). The 79 of English champion Lucy Williams was discounted.

England are in fourth place with a three-over-par total – a massive 18 shots behind runaway leaders Denmark.

Scores: 1 -15 Denmark, 2 -4 Spain, 3 -1 Germany, 4 +3 England, =5 +5 Belgium, Czech Republic, =7 +7 Sweden, France, =9 +10 Switzerland, Slovenia.