Anna Foster will tee it up in the AIG Women’s Open in Walton Heath on Thursday after coming through Monday’s Final Qualifying.
The Elm Park star qualified in fourth position in Hankley Common courtesy of a three-under 69 and she will make her major championship debut.
Foster had previously played in Final US Women’s Open Qualifying but was unable to progress but she will become the fourth Irish amateur to compete in a major championship after Aine Donegan (US Women’s Open), Matthew McClean (US Masters, US Open) and Alex Maguire (Open Championship).
“I think it definitely helped going out early, just being able to take advantage of the calm conditions on the front nine and to make a few birdies,” explained Foster. “After I made birdie on the last, I finally let myself think about playing in the AIG Women’s Open. It was just like so overwhelming, I can’t believe it’s happened. I look up to people like Leona (Maguire) as what she has done for Irish golf has been unbelievable.”
The Auburn student started well with a brace of birdies on holes three and four and followed up a double-bogey on 8 with a birdie on the ninth to steady the shop and turn in 35.
The Irish international picked up birdies on the 13th and 15th before bogeying the par-3 16th. Crucially, she finished strong with a closing birdie on 18 to book her place alongside Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow.
Foster was named in Ireland’s Women’s Home Internationals squad in Machynys this week but Golf Ireland will have to call up a replacement.
Kirkistown Castle amateur Beth Coulter and LET pro Olivia Mehaffey missed out as did Abigail O’Riordan.
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