Áine Donegan backed up her impressive full LET debut where she claimed a share of 16th place with a three-under opening round at the Australian Women’s Classic, leaving her tied for 20th after day one.
The Lahinch rookie pro started in style at Magenta Shores Golf Club, birdieing the 10th – her first – and the 12th to move to two-under through three, and another birdie on the par-5 17th kept her moving along nicely. A bogey on 18 was followed by back-to-back birdies on one and two which took her well inside the early top 10, but she dropped another shot on three before carding six successive pars to close out a round in which she hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation but struggled a little with the putter.
Anna Foster, who finished tied for 37th on her season debut, also struggled with the flatstick. She took 32 putts enroute to a two-over-par 74 that leaves her tied for 83rd and in need of a strong second round if she’s going to be around for the weekend.
The story of the day, however, was the course-record-breaking 64 fired by Sara Kouskova of the Czech Republic.
The two-time Ladies European Tour winner capitalised on calm conditions in New South Wales carding eight birdies and dropping no shots to lead by two after 18 holes of action.
“Honestly, it was such a steady round today,” Kouskova said, who matched her career-best round thanks to the morning flurry. “I think I struggled mentally last week a little bit and kind of going towards the season I was very excited, but then it just felt that it wasn’t there in my mind correctly.
“So we needed to work more on the mindset and sticking to the process more, not thinking about results or anything. Today was a day that I actually took a little bit more care about the mental prep and I cannot believe how well it worked. I’m really, really happy about how disciplined we were on the course.”
Kouskova hit all 18 greens and missed just one fairway at Magenta Shores and she was also boosted by some Australian fans out on the course who have hosted the Olympian, along with caddie/partner Jakub, over the past few years.
“[My hosts turned up] after I think nine holes and it just warms your heart and it’s really sweet,” Kouskova said. “My Australian grandad, as I call him, came on 18th. He was my host at Coffs Harbour from the past two years. “It’s just really nice to have that support around.”
Two back in a tie for second on six-under par sit New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori, Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea and Australia’s Kelsey Bennett.
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