Leona fights back; Irish left waiting as weather delays Open de Portugal

Leona Maguire

Leona Maguire overcame a double-bogey at the first to open with a one-under 71 to lie five shots behind Australia’s Hannah Green and American Cydney Clanton after the opening round of the 54-hole Cambia Portland Classic in Oregon.

The Slieve Russell golfer was two over after that opening six at Columbia Edgewater Country Club but birdied the seventh, 10th and 13th, then followed a bogey at the short 16th with a birdie at the last to share 39th place.

Stephanie Meadow birdied her last two holes to open with a three-over-par 75 as Green and Clanton shot six-under 66s to lead by a shot from Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, American Amy Olson, Germany’s Caroline Masson and England’s Mel Reid with Yealimi Noh five-under through 17 holes when play was suspended.

On the European Tour, Portugal’s Vitor Lopes retained a narrow lead as high winds forced officials to suspend play in the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos.

The Portuguese star (24) held a two-shot overnight lead, but dropped a shot on the second hole at Royal Óbidos Spa and Golf Resort to sit at six-under-par through three holes when play was suspended at 4.40 pm.

South African Garrick Higgo is a shot further back at five-under-par through six holes, birdieing the sixth to join Carlos Pigem in a tie for second, with the Spaniard yet to tee off following a four-hour suspension earlier in the day due to the threat of lightning.

Play resumed at 8.15 am today with Gavin Moynihan (two-over), Niall Kearney (three-over) and Paul Dunne (four-over) yet to start their second rounds.