Grant, Foster and Donegan survive Women's Amateur cut
Paula Grant (Lisburn) tees off on the second during the opening round of the Women's Amateur Championship at Royal County Down. Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie
Three Irish players made the matchplay stage of the Women’s Amateur at Royal County Down.
Lisburn’s Paula Grant added a 74 to her opening 75 to make the top 64 in 22nd place on three-over alongside Elm Park’s Anna Foster, who shot 75.
Lahinch’s Aine Donegan also made it after recovering from an 81 with a brilliant 69 to finish 26th on four-over.
“I stayed much more patient today, and my short game was very good, I’m really happy with where that is at the moment,” Donegan said.
“Yesterday I threw so many shots away, I left a lot of shots out there and I got into trouble on too many holes.
Anna Foster (Elm Park). Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie
'The bad holes I had were hard to come back from - it’s that type of course though and you need to place yourself around the golf course – if you do that you’ll shoot a solid score.”
Ballinrobe’s Shannon Burke (76-79, 155), Kanturk’s Mairead Martin (78-80, 158), Kirkistown Castle’s Beth Coulter (80-79, 159) and Douglas’ Sara Byrne (80-79, 159) all missed the cut which fell at seven-over 153.
England’s Hannah Screen finished as the leading qualifier on seven-under-par 139 after rounds of 69 and 70, two strokes better than Italy’s Angelica Moresco.
Grant was not put off by the strong winds at Royal County Down and secured a first round clash with Spain’s Teresa Diez Moliner.
“I actually thought the conditions weren’t that bad today, I have definitely played in worse conditions at Royal County Down!” said Grant who plays at the Newcastle links as her secondary club.
“Knowing the course has definitely been a help this week. There are a lot of blind shots here so knowing what lines to pick and commit to them – I feel very comfortable.”
After a bogey-bogey start, some would panic, but with that comfort Grant was able to put it behind her and finish the remainder of the round under par.
“I was angry at myself after the start, I didn’t do much wrong but I re-focused, put my head down and grinded away for a few holes – I knew there were birdie opportunities coming.”