Coulter heads six-strong Irish challenge into matchplay at 118th Women’s Amateur
Ragnhildur Kristinsdóttir of Iceland. Picture: The R&A
Beth Coulter finished an impressive fourth as she led six Irish women into the matchplay stages of the 118th Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie).
The Kirkistown Castle talent shot a three-under 70 to finish just three strokes behind leading qualifier Ragnhildur Kristinsdóttir of Iceland on three-under and will now play Scotland’s Megan Ashley in Wednesday’s first round.
Lahinch’s Aine Donegan, who qualified in 64th, with face Kristinsdóttir.
“Today I didn’t start off great, I missed a short putt on the first, then made a great sand save on six, and that’s what started me off,” Coulter said. “I birdied seven then birdied nine, then it was steady.
“Hopefully it’ll put me up there to get into the matchplay, unless somebody shoots about ten-under but yes hopefully, I just get a good match tomorrow and we’ll see.’’
Douglas’ Sara Byrne (75, 142) was 23rd, Rebekah Gardner (77, 154) and Paula Grant (78, 154) 37th and 38th, Kate Lanigan (80, 156) 52nd and Aine Donegan (78, 159) was 64th as Laura Webb (79) missed out on 163.
Kristinsdóttir shot a seven-under 66, the lowest round of the week, to finish as the leading qualifier on six-under-par 140.
The Icelander, who holds the best stroke average in Eastern Kentucky University history, recorded eight birdies on the 1st, 3rd, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes and a lone bogey at the par-4 16th.
From a starting field of almost 100 players aged from 13 to 58, the 23-year-old Icelandic talent leads the top 64 players into the match play stage starting tomorrow.
Sitting two shots back is Amy Taylor with rounds of 72 and 70.
The Englishwoman, whose second-round featured five birdies and two bogeys, drew on her college experience at Texas Tech to handle the windy conditions at Barassie today.
Overnight leader Hannah Darling had a tougher day with a one-over-par 74 but managed to eagle the 11th hole for the second time this week. She safely earns her place in the match play stage, finishing alongside Taylor on four-under-par 142.
Coulter advances on three-under-par 143 with 2019 Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy a shot further back.
Annabell Fuller finished her two qualifying rounds on one-under-par 145 with Louise Duncan of Scotland the only other player to finish at par or better.
The match play stage gets underway tomorrow with each tie consisting of one round of 18 holes with the Final on Saturday played over 36 holes.
The 36-hole final round will be live broadcast on The R&A’s YouTube and Facebook accounts as well as on randa.org
