McVeigh handed Ladies British Masters invite

Danielle McVeigh at Killeen Castle last week. The Royal County Down player has been given a sponsor’s invitation for next week’s ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters at the Buckinghamshire. Picture by Tristan Jones (LET)Danielle McVeigh is playing on the Ladies European Tour Access Tour in Finland this week as she tries to battle her way onto the main tour.

But after missing the cut in the Ladies Irish Open she will have another chance to shine on the big stage next week after receiving one of 11 sponsor invitations for the inaugural ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club.

The Royal County Down talent will joing Rebecca Codd in the field while England’s Charley Hull is one of three of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team to have booked her place in the tournament along with compatriot Holly Clyburn and Amy Boulden of Wales.

Hull was one of five amateurs to participate in the Kraft Nabisco Championship in California where she finished 38th with a score of one over par and she made her Ladies European Tour debut in Turkey in May, where she finished fifth with a score of one under par.

Whilst playing in her second Ladies European Tour event at the recent in the Irish Open, where she tied for 18th as the leading amateur, Hull said: “I think it’s really cool to be playing on home turf and it’s not that far from where I live. I play quite nearby at Woburn and I haven’t played at the Buckinghamshire before.”

Boulden, who also starred in the Curtis Cup, helping GB&I win the match for the first time since 1996, said:  “I am very excited to be playing in this event. It’s going to be a great experience and a chance to test my game against the top professionals. My plan is to head to Tour school in December so this event will be great to get some valuable experience to take with me. I am looking forward to getting out there and competing.”
 
Clyburn added: “I am thrilled to be playing in the ISPS Handa Ladies British Masters and thankful to the sponsors for the opportunity. It is going to be my first start on the LET, so I hope it all goes well and I am able to take some valuable experience with me to Tour school later this year.”
 
Local player Rachel Drummond from Buckinghamshire Golf Club has also received an invitation to form part of the field of 126 competitors and she commented: “It’s a privilege to play my second tour event on the Ladies European Tour and playing will be an amazing experience. Having been bought up in the same county it is extremely special that is it being played at Buckinghamshire Golf Club where I work. It’s great that I know the course and I hope this will be beneficial. I look forward to being able to welcome my family and friends which will be a huge support.”

Ladies European Tour rookie professional Lucy Williams, whose father, David, is a Tournament Director on the European Tour, has also received an invitation along with Scotland’s Lynn Kenny, English duo Kirsty Taylor and Tara Dayer-Smith, both from Hampshire.

There will also be a Chinese flavour with the addition of Yan Jing and Lin Xi Yu, who has already made several appearances in co-sanctioned events on the LET and recorded a career-best tie for fifth at last year’s Sanya Ladies Open in China.

The ISPS Handa British Masters is being played for the first time at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, which has excellent rail links, with Denham train station located right next to the golf course. The journey from London Marylebone takes around 21-24 minutes, while by car, the venue is near Junction 1 of the M40.