Australian Whitney Hillier fired an opening six-under-par 66 – her best ever round on the Ladies European Tour – to lead an LET event for the first time at the Ladies’ Italian Open presented by Ruco Line.

The 23-year-old second year professional from Perth fired seven birdies and one bogey on the tight and tree-lined Perugia Golf Course to end a stroke clear of England’s Rebecca Hudson, with a group of six further players on three-under-par.

Hillier felt right at home on the course, which reminded her of Cessnock Golf Club in the Hunter Valley, playing in temperatures of 28C. “I felt right in my element today because Perth’s nice and hot and today was perfect out there. We’ve been very lucky with the weather,” said Hillier, who recorded a career best finish of third in Slovakia 12 months ago.

“It was a great start. I’ve just changed coach and changed my swing a little bit. I felt really good out there. I didn’t put any pressure on myself and free flowed and it was good fun.”

The Joondalup Golf Club player began with three birdies on the back nine, at holes 14, 16 and 17 before dropping her only shot of the day on 18. She then picked up four birdies on the front nine, including a chip in from the bunker short of the green on her penultimate hole.

She added: “I chipped in from the bunker on eight. I wasn’t too worried about that because I love those little flop shots. A minute before I said, ‘I’m going to hole it,’ and I did. I kept it pretty solid all day. 15 greens and 27 putts. It felt really good and consistent today so the hard work is paying off.”

Hudson, a four-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, played earlier in the day and began with six pars but picked up her first stroke at the par 3 seventh. She then birdied 10, 11, 14 and 16.

“I played very well, had the ball under control and there are some holes out there which you can attack and I did and I played sensibly when I needed to,” said Hudson, who won three tournaments in 2008.

Those on three-under were Italian Diana Luna, England’s Holly Clyburn and Floerntyna Parker, Amy Boulden of Wales, Germany’s Ann-Kathrin Lindner and Danish rookie Nicole Broch Larsen.

There are five other Aussies in the field this week. Queenslander Bree Arthur is tied for 27th after posting a one-over-par 73, while Nikki Garrett and New Zealand’s Cathryn Bristow a further shot back and they are part of a large group of players sharing 44th place. NSW’s Adriana Brent is tied for 60th at three-over-par. Maggie Yuan and Alison Whitaker have some worked to do to make the cut, Yuan is tied for 90th at five-over, while Whitaker is shares 103rd position another shot adrift.