A late stumble by Gabriela Ruffels has left the Australian golfer seven shots behind the leader after the opening round of the Magical Kenya Open on the Ladies European Tour.

Aditi Ashok fired a six-under-par 67 to hold a four stroke lead, the Indian star making an eagle and six birdies at the Baobab Course.

Seven players share second place at two under.

Australia's Ruffels finished her opening round at one over after carding four bogeys on the back nine.

Compatriot Whitney Hillier, the only other Australian in the field, shot two over in a rollercoaster round featuring a double-bogey, four bogeys and four birdies.

They'll set out in the second round chasing three-time LET winner Ashok who described her first round as "a great day".

"I had a lot of birdie chances but I converted them too," she said.

"I missed a two-footer on one hole but apart from that, I played well all day, I hit some really great shots."

Italy's Virginia Elena Carta, Spain's Ana Pelaez Trivino, Scotland's Kylie Henry Sweden's Isabella Deilert, Spain's Marta Sanz Barrio, England's Alice Hewson and Thailand's April Angurasaranee share second place.

A trio of players are a shot back at one under - Sweden's Sara Kjellker and Danish duo Amalie Leth-Nissen and Smilla Tarning Soenderby.