Sara Byrne has made an encouraging start to her first professional event as she shot an opening 71 on day one of the Vasteras Open by Elite Hotels in the LET Access Series.
Fresh off her AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship win over Beth Coulter on Sunday, the Douglas amateur is just three shots off the lead on one-under-par and in a share of tenth place.
Byrne had a mixed round, having opened with a birdie she double bogeyed the par-5 2nd before birdies on 4 and 7 returned her to red figures a bogey on 9 saw her turn in 36.
A birdie on 10 was cancelled out on 12 before the 22-year-old birdied two of her last three holes.
Victoria Craig is five-over-par after an opening 77 as Australia’s Amy Walsh leads on four-under.
Speaking about the round, Walsh said: “I played solidly, and I took advantage of the par fives.
“I feel I probably got slightly fortunate on a couple of tee shots, but I think my putting was probably what held the round together.
“The course is firm especially the fairways. The greens are not as firm which makes it a little bit easier, but it is around the greens, so you must be sort of cautious if you do miss.
“You must think about where it could end up, so a little bit of strategy is needed other than that it is a nice course, great weather, and a good walk.
‘I don’t think I will feel any pressure going into tomorrow, I’ve kind of had a lot of struggles with my game the past couple of years, I’ve had a bit going on with what I’ve been working on so it’s nice to see that they have come together today and if it happens again tomorrow, I’ll be happy but otherwise I’ve still had some positives from this week and hopefully I can have a few more for the next couple days.”
Scoring HERE
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