Costello can’t wait to experience KPMG Women’s Irish Open

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Olivia Costello (Photo by Jan Kruger/R&A via Getty Images)

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Roscommon teenager Olivia Costello is ready to make the most of her KPMG Women’s Irish Open invite this week at Dromoland Castle.

The 14-year old arrived in Co Clare over the weekend looking to settle into her new surroundings as the tournament returns to the calendar for the first time in 10 years.

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And although Costello knows this week will be a massive learning experience in her fledgling career, the talented teen isn’t taking her chance to simply make up the numbers.

“First of all, it’s going to be a great experience, watching how all the professionals prepare and all that stuff, but it’s always been a thing that I wouldn’t play any tournament unless I wanted to win it,” Costello told RTE Sport.

“Obviously there’s some stuff that I have to do, like make the cut, but I would never play a tournament if I didn’t think I could win it. But it will be a great experience.”

The second year student admitted that she had “no hesitation” accepting her invite. A former star of the KPMG Irish Kids Golf Tour, Costello is particularly looking forward to sharing the same field with home hero Leona Maguire having travelled to Muirfield earlier this year to watch the LPGA winner in action at the AIG Women’s Open.

“My dad bought tickets for me and a few of my friends and we went down, and just when we were heading over to Carnoustie to play the British Under-18 Amateur, my dad got a call about the invite,” said Costello.

“Leona was the one person that we were going down to follow around, and after we watched a few holes, we also got introduced to some of the really big names, but Leona was the main player I wanted to see.

“I also met her over at the British Amateurs and we had a bit of a chat about the Home Internationals and she was asking how I got on.”

However, as much and all as Costello will look to focus her efforts on her on-course ambitions this week, the student of Convert of Mercy in Roscommon Town won’t be neglecting her school work despite missing a week in the classroom.

“I’ll probably bring my school books and get as much done as I can. I have missed a few days but I always catch up,” said Costello.

“I don’t want to be thinking about schoolwork when I’m golfing, so when I’ve done all my schoolwork, I can go out and do what has to be done on the course without worrying about it.”

Books or no books, this week is going to be a massive learning week for Costello, and one she’ll likely never forget.

Tickets to see the stars of the Ladies European Tour in action at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open are now on sale at www.womensirishopen.ie. Four-day tickets are priced at €35 while single-day tickets will cost €15. Under 16s attending the event will also be admitted free of charge.

You can watch the Women’s Irish Open live on RTÉ News this Thursday and Friday, with live coverage on RTÉ One on Saturday and Sunday.

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