Ronan Mullarney has put himself in contention after a four-under-par 67 has him in solo third place at the co-sanctioned 2023 Hauts de France – Pas de Calais Golf Open.
Mullarney’s brilliant opening round means the Galway man is well on his way to securing his Challenge Tour card. He currently sits in 2nd in the Alps Tour order of merit with the last tournament of the regular season underway.
Mullarney is two strokes behind French amateur Théo Boulet after the local man shot a bogey-free 6 under-par 65 and Boulet was delighted with his opening round efforts.
“I am happy with my first round. A lot of good things happened today. I putted extremely well today, and my long game was sharp too. I will try to keep it going tomorrow and hope to do even better. There is still a lot of golf left to be played, but I will keep my feet very grounded and keep improving.”
Boulet currently represents Golf de Chantilly and is still competing as an amateur in his first full season on the Alps Tour. He made three birdies on the front nine and 3 birdies on the back, including two birdies in his last three holes. After the round he told the media that his future as an amateur depends on his finish to the season.
“We will see what happens, but I would like to turn pro at the end of the year. I know I will be able to have a good category on the Alps Tour next season, but the objective will be to have a good playing status for next year,” he said.
Another Alps tour winner this season, Italy’s Manfredi Manica is only one stroke back after a bogey-free 5-under par 66. There is a five-way tie for fourth place on three- under-par between Estonia’s Sander Aadusaar, Finland’s Eemil Alajarvi, England’s Jack Floydd, France’s Benjamin Kedochim and Netherland’s Lars Keunen.
Paul McBride sits in a tie for 30th place after a one-over-par 72 in the opening round while in the Ladies European Tour Access series event, Abigail O’Riordain sits in a tie for 41st after a two-over-par 75 in the opening round. Slovenia’s Katja Pogacar leads the way after a six-under-par 67 on the Golf Saint Omer layout.
Mullarney gets his second round underway at 9.05am local time, 10.05am Irish time off the 10th tee with Paul McBride getting his second round underway 20 minutes later. Abigail O’Riordan gets her second round underway at 12.40pm local time, 1.40pm Irish time.
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