Olivia Mehaffey’s revival continues to pick up pace as the Tandragee woman secured top spot in the U.S. Women’s Open qualifier at Buckinghamshire Golf Club.
A stacked field of 50, which included multiple LET winners, teed it up just outside London, all vying for the two places in the USGA’s women’s showpiece event at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles.
Over 36 holes, Mehaffey, who has conditional status on the Ladies European Tour after a tough couple of seasons, fired an opening 70 to be among the leaders and then followed up with a 71, including a birdie at the final hole to finish alone at three-under-par, one clear of England’s Bronte Law and Meghan MacLaren and Lois Lau from France.
In a playoff for the second qualifying spot, it was the Frenchwoman who prevailed, with Law and MacLaren taking the first and second alternate spots respectively.
Canice Screen suffered heartbreak as a stunning second round which featured an eagle and four birdies had her at three-under through 34 holes but a double bogey on the 17th saw her fall out of the qualification places and she ended up one stroke shy of the playoff.
Annabel Wilson retired after her opening round left her too much to do in the second round.
Lauren Walsh, competing in the qualifier at Essex County Country Club in New Jersey, opened with a four-over 75 and looks set to come up shy in a strong field that includes several LPGA Tour winners and Solheim Cup stars.
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