Star attraction Leona Maguire, local amateur sensation Aine Donegan and defending champion Klara Spilkova head the billing as the marquee three-ball on days one and two at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.
Teeing off at 09:06 on the tenth on day one, the trio will return to the first tee on Friday at 13:46 and are sure to take a large portion of the expectedly large crowds. Donegan, who made headlines and countless new admirers when she announced herself on the global stage at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach in early July, will get another up-close and personal experience when she tees it up alongside two-time LPGA Tour winner Maguire and two-time LET winner Spilkova.
The Czech star won her second LET title here a year ago, prevailing in a playoff over Dane Nicole Broch Estrup and Finland’s Ursula Wikström in dramatic fashion after making an incredible up-and-down par save on 17 whilst ankle deep in the hazard.
In Thursday’s afternoon marquee grouping, another local amateur in Aideen Walsh will join Swedish duo Johanna Gustavsson and Solheim Cup stalwart Caroline Hedwall who will make her fifth appearance in the blue and gold of Europe when she joins Maguire at Spain’s Finca Cortesin Golf Club in four week’s time. They tee off at 13:36 in round one, and at 09:06 in round two.
Kirkistown Castle amateur and Arizona State University student Beth Coulter will have the honour of getting the tournament underway when she takes to the first tee at 08:00 on Thursday alongside Scotland’s Jane Turner and Isle of Mann native Ana Dawson, whilst simultaneously, Douglas amateur and University of Miami student Sara Byrne will get play underway on the 10th in the company of American Gurleen Kaur and England’s Florentyna Parker.
Victoria Craig is next to get her tournament underway when she tees off at 09:28, two groups behind Maguire’s marquee threeball.
Kate Lanigan tees off on the first at 14:09, and Olivia Mehaffey takes to the 10th at the same time, Emma Fleming is in the group following Lanigan at 14:20, while Roscommon starlet Olivia Costello follows Mehaffey at the same time as Lanigan.
Tickets to see the stars of the Ladies European Tour at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open are now on sale HERE with under-16s gaining free entry.
Leave a comment