At level-par, Leona Maguire is just four off the first-round lead at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational spread across Castlerock and Galgorm Castle in the event co-sanctioned by the LPGA, DP World and LET Tours.
Three birdies and three bogeys for the Cavan star saw her turn in a 73 at Castlerock, but it’s only good for a tie for 32nd as 31 of the women broke par on day one, but she’ll feel buoyed by the fact that the eight lowest rounds of the day in the women’s event all came at Galgorm Castle and just 12 of the 31 rounds in red figures were recorded at Castlerock.
Galgorm touring pro Stephanie Meadow has work to do to make the cut after posting a two-over 74 at her home venue, though two birdies on her closing four holes will have lightened the mood somewhat and gives her a fighting chance of making the cut if she can turn in a decent performance at Castlerock on Friday.
Clandeboye amateur Jessica Ross posted a very credible four-over at Galgorm, recovering from four successive bogeys on the front nine to turn in a level-par performance over her final ten holes, but Olivia Mehaffey’s chances of seeing the weekend look all but over after the Tandragee woman carded a nine-over 81 at the same venue.
Switzerland’s Kim Metraux, England’s Gabriella Cowley, Sweden’s Ellinor Sudow and Australia’s Karis Davidson all fired rounds of 69 (-4) at Castlerock to be out in front.
It was a steady day for Swiss star Metraux, who only had one dropped shot on her card and rolled in five birdies and was understandably delighted with her performance.
“Just overall a really solid day,” said Metraux. “I started off well with a birdie on one and that kind of got me going through the round.
“I managed to not really miss many greens. The only one I missed was when I made bogey on 15. I was a bit unfortunate to make a bogey on a reachable par-five, but overall I was just really solid from tee to green and managed to drop a few putts, which was really nice.
“Links is definitely something different than what we play year long, but we did play Scottish two weeks ago. That kind was good preparation I guess for today and most of the tournaments we play on LET, although not links courses, we’ve had quite a windy season.
“Galgorm is very different from here. It’s like two completely different worlds. A lot softer course with thick rough, so it’s definitely a different challenge, but if I keep hitting fairways and greens we’ll be in good shape.”
To read a report on the opening day in the men’s event, please click here.
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