Making her second professional start, Annabel Wilson sits T26 at level-par, while pro debutant Sara Byrne is one further back on +1 after day one of the Rose Ladies Open on the LET Access circuit.
Wilson got off to a slow start with back-to-back bogeys on one and two, and despite a birdie at three, two more bogeys on six and seven saw her make the turn at +3. She fought back on the inward loop, however, making birdies on 10, 17 and 18 to get in the house at level-par.
Fresh off the physically and emotionally draining Curtis Cup at Sunningdale, Byrne too got off to a horror start with a double at the first. Birdies at three, 14 and 18 and further bogeys on 11 and 12 resulted in a one-over 73 for her.
Sweden’s Ellen Hutchinson-Kay carded a fantastic first round of 66 (-6) to take the lead.
Starting on 10, the Ole Miss graduate got off to a slow start with a bogey on the first but turned it around by rolling in three birdies on her front nine on holes 13,15 and 18.
At the turn, the Swede fired up the flatstick once again to card five more birdies and one bogey to finish day one as leader by one shot.
Hutchinson Kay said: “I’ve been tired the last couple of days between these two tournaments, but I hit the ball very solid.
“I wasn’t really thinking too much about anything today, I think that helped a lot.
“So far, the tournament has been great, everything is set up well, it’s so pretty and the practice facilities and course are in great condition.”
On the eve of the tournament, players were treated to the news that the prize fund had been raised by 15,000 euros. News which left Hutchinson-Kay feeling more inspired for the week.
“I’m staying with three other girls, and we were all super happy that it happened. It’s great to see them elevating the women’s golf in general.”
Today’s round was the Swede’s career low on LETAS and she is excited to keep it up tomorrow.
“Tomorrow I would love to keep not really thinking about the scores. I feel like I play better when I’m in the moment.
“It’s cliché but I need to take it one shot at a time. I would love to keep the momentum going.”
The 2024 season has not been without its challenges for Hutchinson-Kay who had to withdraw from two tournaments because of a back injury.
“I’ve struggled more than I would like this season. It’s not been the season I wanted.
“It’s taken me a while to get back into it. It was a great round today and its amazing to see that I’ve still got it.”
Norway’s Michelle Forsland, who started on 10, sits second after carding two eagles on her first and ninth hole.
At the turn, the 27-year-old kept the momentum to card one bogey and two birdies to finish on five-under-par.
“It was a lot of fun out there today. It’s been a roller coaster of a season and I was so happy to stay relaxed and hit a lot of good shots.
“To see some results finally is what I’ve been working on. All in all, it was very fun.”
Forsland has mainly played on the LET this season with a highest finish on LETAS of 37th at the PGA Championship Gothenburg.
Forsland played at the 2023 edition of the Rose Ladies Open and is happy to be back at such a beautiful venue at Brocket Hall.
“This week I’ve got a local caddy, Matt. He’s a coach and used to play so it’s kind of a random pairing but I enjoy it.
“The season has been fun, playing between LETAS and the LET. It has been exhausting because it’s a full schedule, but I’ve enjoyed playing and getting better.”
It’s a tightly packed leaderboard after the first day with seven players tied for third including LETAS’ number one and two ranked players, Germany’s Helen Briem and Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall.
Round two begins at 7:45 and after play finishes their will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties.
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