Leona Maguire knows she is expected to lead the charge to become the first home winner of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Carton House but she is also hopeful of having a handful of other contenders to take the burden of pressure off her shoulders.
Sixteen home hopefuls will tee it up on the O’Meara course from 8am on Thursday morning, including seven professionals, four of whom are LET rookies.
Maguire will be the pied piper to her 15 compatriots but there is a huge opportunity for another Irishwoman to grab the spotlight and Castlerock’s Annabel Wilson sees no reason why it can’t be her.
Wilson, making her second Irish Open appearance after a missed cut on debut last year, feels the record home contingent speaks volumes to the strength of Irish women’s golf – a scenario she didn’t believe was possible when she was coming through the amateur ranks.
“It’s just crazy how much it’s moving, it’s fantastic and they are all competing it’s just really good to see,” said Wilson who competes on the Ladies European Tour alongside fellow rookies Anna Foster, Sara Byrne and Canice Screene and established star Lauren Walsh who is chasing an AIG Women’s Open spot this week.
There is an Irish camp developing, similar to the glory days of the old European Tour in the 90s and 2000s where the likes of Pádraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Darren Clarke would have been taken under the wings of Des Smyth and the likes.
Wilson feels having four Irishwomen to bounce off on the LET has elevated everyone’s performance.
“We’ve all played throughout our amateur days together, we know each other well and played on amateur teams together and now we’ve carried that into the professional ranks. It’s fantastic. We are also all rooting for each other so we really are lucky in that sense.”
As for the €450,000 KPMG Women’s Irish Open, it is already Wilson’s favourite event on tour.
“I loved it here last year and they’ve really stepped it up this year. I’ve asked other players and they really enjoy it, it’s just great to have all the fans out. The weather has been nice so far and it’s a great atmospheres.
“It’s been a great few days already, really enjoyed it last year and I’m so excited to get stuck in.”
Wilson’s rookie campaign on the LET has been solid with two top-20s – a best of 12th in Korea – mixed with four missed cuts from ten starts, but she has loved very minute of it.
“It’s been amazing, such an amazing experience, got to see some unbelievable places, travel all over the world,” said Wilson who has been given a tasty draw alongside talented German Olivia Cowan and world number one amateur Lottie Woad.
“I’ve loved every moment of it, we’ve got a great bunch of Irish girls travelling which is great as well, keeping good company.
“Decent stuff so far, played lovely in Korea, it was a good event to play well, carried some momentum into the European stretch then took a wee break, went home to reset for the latter part of the year.”
Leave a comment