Lauren Walsh admits that playing in front of family and friends at last year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open was one of her favourite weeks of the season despite missing the cut on her debut but she is looking to be a factor over the weekend this time around.
The Castlewarden woman, who grew up just half an hour from Carton House, is staying in her own bed this week and will enjoy the pleasure of her mother’s cooking as she looks for the recipe to lower expectations of performing in her home county.
“It’s so nice to be back, the place looks amazing. We played the back nine this morning and the course is in really good shape and it should be a great week,” said Walsh who is 12th on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit.
“There’s a lot to manage like your own expectations, there was so many people out there so lots of new challenges. Despite the result it was one of my favourite weeks last year. To get to play in front of my family was so special and to play at home in Carton House was a great week regardless of anything.
“Staying at home, shoutout to mam and her cooking! It’s great, a lot of home comforts this week it will be really nice to have a lot of people out watching and to feel that support this week.
“It’s amazing, the venue is great, the course is looking class and the field is great so it will be a very special week.”
The 24-year-old has registered four top-10s from her fourteen starts this season, missing just two cuts in the process and she looks to be edging ever closer to a maiden professional victory in just her second campaign on the LET.
“The last couple of weeks have been pretty good, playing nicely, hitting the ball well. Things are starting to come together, just want to enjoy the week as much as I can, it’s not often we get to play at a course like this and at home as well.”
Walsh had a new experience a few weeks ago at the Tenerife Women’s Open when she held the 36-hole lead heading into the weekend.
Unfortunately for her she had to settle for 14th place after rounds of 77 and 72 ended her chances of a breakthrough win but rather than get down in the dumps, she views it as an other step on the journey.
“I learned a lot from that week, I learn a lot from every week out here so I take all of that as positive. My game is in a good place and it’s just nice to bring those lessons forward to future weeks.”
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