Australian Nikki Garrett carded an eight-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead after the opening round of the Open de Espana Femenino.

Garrett rolled in eight birdies and avoided any bogeys to lead comfortably from Trish Johnson at Golf Las Americas in Tenerife.

The 28-year-old Garrett did most of her scoring on the front nine, where she hit five birdies including three straight from holes seven to nine.

Consecutive birdies at 16 and 17 saw her close out strongly and take a sizeable lead into the second round at the Ladies European Tour event.

Johnson's only bogey for the day came on the par-three fifth but the Englishwoman's six birdies saw her to outright second place.

Three players – Italian Veronica Zorzi, South African Lee-Anne Pace and German Mirian Nagl – sit a shot further back.

Another two Australians, Rebecca Artis and Frances Bondad, are among a group of 11 players who share sixth place on three under.