Four representatives from the Emerald Ilse teed off at the MCB Ladies Classic in Mauritius and its Clare’s Aine Donegan who was the only one of them to post an under-par opening round.
The 24-year-old scrambled well around Constance Belle Mare Plage but would definitely prefer to have less squares on her scorecard – posting a one-under-par 71.
Donegan made bogey at the first but settled in quickly with a run of three birdies between holes four and seven to take the turn at two-under.
A quick birdie at the 10th made for a good start to the back nine, but things began to slow down for Donegan, making back-to-back bogeys on the 14th and 15th.
The Ennis native replied well with a birdie at the par-4 16th, but will be disappointed with a bogey at the very scorable par-5 18th. Donegan sits T30 at one-under heading into round two.
Dublin’s Anna Foster sits one stroke back from Donegan at even-par, as the 24-year-old had a front nine of mixed emotions.
Making two quick fire birdies at the second and third holes, Foster went bogey-double bogey at the eight and ninth to be one-over after nine holes.
Two more bogeys came at the 11th and 12th but the Elm Park golfer will be happy with how she finished, making three more birdies on the way back to the clubhouse. Foster sits T43 after 18 holes.
Armagh’s Olivia Mehaffey posted a two-over-par 74 to sit T75. The 27-year-old had a poor start making double at the first but bounced back well in the final holes to salvage a decent round.
Armagh compatriot Annabel Wilson sits T88 after a three-over-par round. A costly double at the par-4 16th was a sore one to take for the 25-year-old.
France’s Agathe Laisné continues her fine form with a first round 64 to take the lead at eight-under. The LET Order of Merit leader rolled in 10 birdies on her way to set a new course record.
“It was great fun. It was nice to sink some putts,” said Laisné. “The putting was definitely the best part. It’s very satisfying to make a lot of birdies and a lot of putts.”
Speaking on her fine run of form, Laisné said; “It’s been a good period, golf feels a little easier than usual because I’ve been playing really well and I know golf is, it can be tricky sometimes. We’ll see down the road, but I really appreciate it right now.”
South Africa’s Cara Gorlei holds second place after firing a round of 65 which included two eagles on day one.
The 30-year-old had two eagles, six birdies and three bogeys on her scorecard to be one shot behind Laisné after 18 holes.
“I’m very happy with it. If you gave me a 65 on Monday, I would have taken it. It was a grind out there, pretty hot and very windy, but I enjoyed it,” said Gorlei.
Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby sits in solo third on six-under.
“I was hitting very small targets and just had some good numbers. I feel like I got the wind spot on. I felt very confident on the greens. I managed the heat pretty well today and it’s beautiful here,” said Soenderby.
Ten players are in a share of fourth place on four-under-par including India’s Diksha Dagar, who made an ace on the 11th hole.
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