The Irish Golf Club Gazette: LETGolf

Showing posts with label LETGolf. Show all posts

7/02/2015

Leona Maguire Makes Strong Start

Leona Maguire that she was talking of the chances that slipped by after opening with a three-under 69 in the first round of the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters.

Playing on a sponsor’s invite, the 20-year-old from Cavan hit 16 greens in her opening round at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club near London, carding four birdies and a single bogey for a place in the clubhouse top 10.

The Duke University golfer made the brightest of starts with a birdie at the par-five 10th before successive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes got her to three under early in her round.
Four straight pars saw her to the turn in 33 strokes and the consistency in her play saw her continue her back nine with another five pars from the first.

She got to four under with a birdie three at the par-four sixth before giving up her only shot to par of the round with a bogey five at the eighth to finish on three under, three shots behind France’s Sophie Giquel-Bettan, who carded a 66.

“I’m really happy because I got off to a great start and made a few birdies in the first few holes, so I was three under though nine,” said Maguire.

“I had quite a few chances on the back nine but a few putts didn’t drop. I hit 16 greens, so it was pretty steady. I birdied a couple of the par fives and hit all the ones on the back nine, starting on the 10th.”

Maguire’s only bogey came on her penultimate hole, which at 425 yards was the longest of the par-fours.

“I made a bogey on eight after hitting a good drive but my second was left of the green in the hay so I had to hack at it to get on the green and then had two putts from there so it was a good bogey really, because the pin was long and the hole was playing tricky,” added Maguire.

“I’d have taken a three under going out this morning and it’s a good score. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

7/07/2014

Meadows Third at ISPS Masters

Getty Images

Stephanie Meadow fired a nine-under 63 to finish in a share of third spot at the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters at Buckinghamshire Golf Club on Sunday. Just a fortnight after finishing third at the US Women’s Open at Pinehurst on her professional debut and a cheque for €200,000.

Meadow has now proved it was no flash in the pan on her debut in the paid ranks of the Ladies European Tour as she took home just under €28,000.

Her earnings so far look set to earn her a full LPGA card for 2015 in a start to a professional career similar to that of fellow Ulster native Rory McIlroy, who earned his card through sponsor invites when he made the switch .

Meadow’s flawless final round saw the 22-year-old Royal Portrush golfer card nine birdies to equal the course record and catapult her up the leaderboard on the final day.

South Korea’s IK Kim proved a runaway winner of the event after she also carded a 63 on Saturday and followed it up with a closing 68 to finish five strokes clear on 18 under.

Australia’s Nikki Campbell carded a 67 in her final round to finish in second place, with Meadow sharing third spot with South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace (68) and Germany’s Caroline Masson (69).

Meadow put her stunning final round of 63 down to a combination of consistency over a full round and greens that were more receptive following rain.

“I just hit a lot of solid shots. All week I’ve had a good front nine or a good back nine. I just couldn’t put 18 holes together so obviously I did that today,” Meadow told the Ladies European Tour website.

“The greens were a little softer than the first two days. That makes scoring a lot easier and the wind wasn’t too bad today so that made some winds a lot easier. There were less side winds and more downwind and into the wind, so it was a little easier.”

Meadow’s round was all the more amazing as she failed to make any gains at the ninth or 10th, both Par 5s, but she admitted that the putter came to her aid.

“I started off with birdie on two and I made a really long putt on four which was nice. I got the putter going and other than that it was some solid shots and some great putts.”

Meadow received a sponsor’s invite to play at the Ladies European Masters, but must qualify for next weekend’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Birkdale.

Meadow plays the final qualifier at Southport and Ainsdale on Monday, with 77 golfers bidding battling out for the 14 spots on offer for the British Open.

In regard to her future plans, Meadow added: “I’m going to qualify for the British Open tomorrow hopefully and after that I’m waiting for some sponsor exemptions to see if I can play LPGA in the States. Goal wise, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing, work harder than ever and see where it puts me.”

8/03/2012

Profile - Pernilla Lindberg

In 2011, posted six top-10s on the LET including a career best finish of outright 2nd at the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open in China, where she ended seven strokes behind the World No.1 Yani Tseng. Tied for 4th at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, tied for 6th at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and Hero Women's Indian Open; tied for 7th at the Sicilian Ladies Italian Open and tied for 8th at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open. On the LPGA, Finished tied for 29th at the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup and the CN Canadian Women's Open; tied for 32nd at the Kia Classic.

In 2010, her rookie season on the LET, played in eight events and recorded two top-10 finishes with a career-best tie for 2ndat the Pegasus New Zealand Women's Open hosted by Christchurch, where she shot a career low 63 (-9) containing 10 birdies and one bogey in the final round. Also tied for 5th at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open and tied for 12th at the AIB Ladies Irish Open.

Finished 45th on the Henderson Money List with season’s earnings of €48,463.71.

On the LPGA, finished tied for 33rd at the Bell Micro LPGA Classic; tied for 37th at the CN Canadian Women's Open and tied for 40th at the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge.

In 2009, Lindberg recorded five top-10 finishes on the Duramed FUTURES Tour.

AMATEUR

Lindberg, the winner of the 2008 Amateur World Championship, played her collegiate golf at Oklahoma State University, where she won three times. She was named a First-Team All-American in 2007 and 2009, and was the 2007 NCAA West Regional champion, and in 2006, she was named the Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year. A member of the Swedish National Team that won the European Ladies Team Championship in 2006 and 2008. Lindberg has one top-10 finish on the Ladies European Tour (LET): a tie for 10th at the 2008 Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika.

PERSONAL

Lindberg started playing golf at the age of four and her hobbies include alpine skiing and working out.

Factfile

DOB: July 13th. 1986

Place of Birth: Bollnas, Sweden

Nationality: Sweden

Residence: Sweden

Interests Alpine Skiing, working out

Date turned Pro: May 2009

Exemption Status Top 80 from Exempt Rankings

Represents Sweden

Ladies Irish Open Gets Underway

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen will begin her defence of the Ladies Irish Open supported by Fáilte Ireland at Killeen Castle on Friday.

The tournament is sure to rekindle some fond memories from last year’s Irish Open, but also of Europe’s dramatic Solheim Cup victory over the United States at the same venue in September, in which Pettersen played a key role.

Only 11 months ago, Pettersen earned her second Irish title after blitzing the field with rounds of 71, 63 and 64 for a total of 198, 18 under par.

A little over a month later she made her sixth appearance in The Solheim Cup and helped steer the European Team to victory by making birdie on the last three holes to earn a one-hole victory in her singles match against Michelle Wie.

“It feels like I’ve been here a lot the last year: first the Irish, now the Solheim and then the Irish again all within 12 months. It obviously feels great coming back to this place,” said Pettersen, the World No.6.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to get to see it so quickly again because the memories are so great but I want to defend my title.”

She prepared by relaxing at London 2012. “I watched tennis all day yesterday. It was fantastic. I was with Dow Chemicals, my partner and we had fantastic hospitality, the best seats ever, I mean, it was just a blast.

“I watched Roger Federer, Djokovic, Hewitt, Andy Murray and then we walked around and watched a little bit of everyone playing on different courts. We watched beach volley the night before which was a great atmosphere.”

Inspired by watching the Olympics, Pettersen hopes to compete when golf returns to the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

“It can’t come around soon enough, it feels like. The first time it’s going to be back is for the Youth Olympics in 2014 in China I think, so that’s the first time you’re going to see golf in the pre-Olympics, trials and so on. It will be fun. It’s back where it belongs.”

The 31-year-old Norwegian is joined by half of Europe’s winning team members in the field for the Ladies Irish Open, which is taking place at Killeen Castle for the third successive year.

They include Swede Sophie Gustafson, the four-time Irish Open champion who last won in 2010 at Killeen Castle and Britons Laura Davies, Melissa Reid, Catriona Matthew and Karen Stupples as part of a star-studded field of 126 competitors.

Pettersen will play with Gustafson and Irish amateur Leona Maguire for the first two days, starting the first round at 8.30am.

Maguire, 17, from Cavan, will be hoping to improve on her tie for 33rd in the 2011 tournament and said: “It’s nice to get a good group. It makes it even more special playing with them. They are both fantastic players and hopefully I can learn something from playing with them. It’s always a great event every year, it’s one of the highlights of the year to be able to play with the best pros in Europe and it’s such a fantastic venue so it’s a great experience.”

Her twin sister Lisa will play on the other side of the draw at 1pm with Reid, who tied for third last year and Scotland’s Carly Booth.

Ireland’s top player, Rebecca Codd, will be accompanied by Ashleigh Simon and Felicity Johnson in a group starting from the first at 1pm.

Codd, from Carlow, said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to practice down here [at Killeen Castle] over the past three or four years so I know the course well. I have been hitting the ball reasonably well. I have had a couple of weeks off so hopefully the work I have put in will show up this week.”

Fellow Irish professionals Danielle McVeigh and Tara Delaney will be looking to make the most of their opportunity to shine in front of the home galleries and earn a share of the €350,000 purse.

“I know I have the game but we’ll just see what happens on the day. Every day is different. I can’t say I have certain expectations. We’ll just see what happens,” said McVeigh.

Delaney added: “I’m grateful for the opportunity and the invite to play this week. I don’t have my full card and I was keeping my fingers crossed that I would get the opportunity to play in it. I have worked pretty hard so it’s just going out there and enjoying it and let it happen hopefully.”

After recent heavy rainfall, the course is playing longer than in previous years, with less run on the fairways and thicker, more punishing rough.

7/31/2012

Profile - Caroline Westrup - Ladies Irish Open

Nickname: Carro and Line

Born: February 11 1986 in Kristianstad, Sweden

Represents: Kristianstads GK

Residence: Tallahassee Florida

Status: Turned professional summer of 2009

Education: Florida State University (Graduated with a degree in Sport Management and minor in communication fall 2009.) GPA 3, 68

Family: Father Charlie, mother Helene, sister Emelie

Favorite food: Raclette & sushi

Favorite movie: Mamma Mia

Favorite music: Hip Hop & R&B

Favorite golf course: Kristianstad, Gray Hawk, Seminoles

Best round: 66/ -7 New Port CC, Wales (British girls 2003)

Hobbies: Sports, friends & family, shopping, travel, cooking

About

Started to play golf when I was about 8 years old. In the beginning, it was obviously just for fun, but soon went to become much more determined. When I was 16, I moved away from my parents to go to a golf high school and I think it was during this time I realized that golf was something I could see myself doing for the rest for my life. Ever since my goal and dream has been to become a professional golfer and play against the best players in the world on the LPGA tour.

Therefore, after high school I moved across the ocean to Florida and enrolled at Florida State University to fulfill my dreams. I felt I was not ready to turn professional right away and my main goal at FSU was to improve my golf game, but also to graduate and get an education.

My four years at Florida State were successful and I learned a lot about myself as a person but also as a golf player. Florida State was not just about golf and education, but about getting ready for my professional career. Therefore, I got involved in many different things on campus, for example student government, boosters and SAAC. They all involved meetings and prepared me for the business and social side. I also got a lot of networking and got to know people I would have never met otherwise. Addition, to this I did an internship with sports information for two years as well. Now I feel ready for the “real” life and would not have choice any other school, because it prepared me for everything not just golf and school.

I have had a lot of success when it comes to the golf game:

Played for the national team since 2001

Four time All –American and All- ACC

Three Gold medals and three silver medals at the European Championship

First place at the World Amateur Championship 2006

Five individual college victories

Number one at the college ranking 2006/2007

Second place at the European Tour in Finland 2005

Played the Jr. Solheim Cup 2003 (beat the United States)

With these results, I am going to have a good chance on achieving my dreams and be successful. I am a very positive, outgoing, independent, goal oriented and stubborn person, who works hard for what I want.

My main goal has always been to become, as good as I can be. With hard work and determination, I know time will show the results and I will become one of the best players in the world.

www.carolinewestrup.com

7/30/2012

Killeen Ready for Ladies Invasion

This week Norway’s Suzann Pettersen returns to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Killeen Castle, County Meath to defend her title as Ladies Irish Open Champion. Teeing off on 3rd August, world no. 6, Pettersen will be joined by a selection of the world’s best female golfers as they battle it out in the quest to win one of the most prestigious competitions on the Ladies European Tour.

Taking to the field in what is set to be one of the most competitive line-ups of the tour this season are four-time Irish Open Champion Sophie Gustafson and golfing legends Laura Davies and Karen Stupples as well as Solheim Cup Star England’s Melissa Reid.

The Ladies Irish Open supported by Fáilte Ireland takes place from the 3rd – 5th August at Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co. Meath. Large crowds are expected to attend the event which is now one of the biggest events on the Ladies European Tour with a prize fund of €350,000.

Irish spectators will have plenty to cheer about with a wealth of home grown talent on show including Ireland’s top player, Rebecca Codd, recently turned professional, Danielle McVeigh from County Down, Carlow’s Tara Delaney and Dublin’s Martina Gillen. The sensational amateur twins, Leona & Lisa Maguire aged 17, jointly named Women’s Amateur of the Year at the AIB Irish Golf Writers’ awards for 2011, will also compete against the world’s best professionals.

Tournament Director, Roddy Carr commented, “I would encourage people of all ages to take this opportunity to watch some of the world’s best golfers compete in one of the finest golfing venues in Ireland. I am delighted that such a strong international field will compete in this year’s Ladies Irish Open and I am particularly pleased that so many of the victorious European Solheim Cup players will return to Killeen Castle, where they enjoyed one of the most dramatic wins over the USA in Solheim Cup history.”

Along with the top-class golf, there will be plenty entertainment for all including live music each day and a dedicated Kidzone and Junior Golf area. There will be a traditional Farmer’s Market which will provide a variety of delicious culinary delights and treats including The Thai BBQ, Tasty Land Asian Noodle Bar, Jarek’s Kitchen and for a more traditional option Gran Clarks Bakery will serve up tart’s, bracks and muffins.

www.ladiesirishopen.ie.

7/11/2012

Pettersen to Defend Killeen Title

Suzann Pettersen returns to the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Killeen Castle, County Meath to defend her title as Ladies Irish Open Champion. Teeing off on 3rd August, world no. 6, Pettersen will be joined by a selection of the world’s best female golfers as they battle it out in the quest to win one of the most prestigious competitions on the Ladies European Tour.

Taking to the field in what is set to be one of the most competitive line-ups of the tour this season are four-time Irish Open Champion Sophie Gustafson and golfing legend Laura Davies as well as Solheim Cup Stars England’s Melissa Reid, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and the USA’s favourite Christina Kim.

Irish spectators will have plenty to cheer about with a wealth of home grown talent on show including Ireland’s top player, Rebecca Codd, recently turned professional, Danielle McVeigh from County Down and Carlow’s Tara Delaney. The sensational amateur twins, Leona & Lisa Maguire aged 17, jointly named Women’s Amateur of the Year at the AIB Irish Golf Writers’ awards for 2011, will also compete against the world’s best professionals.

Tournament Director, Roddy Carr commented, “I am delighted to announce such a strong international field for this year’s Irish Open and I am particularly pleased that so many of the victorious European Solheim Cup players will return to Killeen Castle, where they enjoyed one of the most dramatic wins over the USA in Solheim Cup history. I would encourage people of all ages to take this opportunity to watch our home grown players compete with the world’s best in one of the finest golfing venues in Ireland.”

Along with the top-class golf, there will be plenty entertainment for all including live music each day, a dedicated Kidzone and the traditional Farmer’s Market which will provide a host of delicious foods and beverages.

Located just off exit 6 on the M3, just fifteen minutes from the Blanchardstown exit 6 M50 turn-off, the event is very accessible to the greater Dublin area and surrounding counties.

Tickets are free for children and senior citizens and standard tickets cost just €10, with season passes for €25. Public parking is available on-site and tickets can be purchased on entry or by visiting www.ladiesirishopen.ie.

1/18/2012

Delaney On Course at La Manga

Tara Delaney carded a third round 74 to finish in share of 36th place and well inside the projected after Tuesdays' round at La Manga in Spain.

England’s Jodi Ewart blew away the rest of the field with a six under par round of 67 in windy conditions on the South Course at La Manga Club in Spain on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old from North Yorkshire fired six birdies to lead the Ladies European Tour’s Final Qualifying School for 2012 by seven strokes with two rounds to play.

Marjet Van der Graaff was on six under par, with Heather Bowie-Young, Stephanie Kirchmayr and Carlota Ciganda four strokes further behind on two under.

Ewart was one of only nine players in the field to break par on a cold and blustery third day in Cartagena, Murcia and she explained: “I felt like I had a little bubble around me today, actually. I’m pretty experienced in the wind.

“We seemed to play a lot in the wind on the Futures Tour and in college. New Mexico is really windy in the spring. Obviously being from England too, I have a lot of experience in the wind and it only really started raining on the last hole.

“They say not to fight it because when you fight it things go wrong and take your medicine when you hit a bad shot or have a bad hole. If you try and fight the wind, the wind is always going to win.”

Ewart, who earned her full card for the LPGA in December, has chosen not to look at any leader boards during the qualifiers. “I’m taking each shot and each hole at a time. I’m really enjoying playing golf out there,” she said.

Teeing off at the 10th, playing into the wind, she was happy to make three pars before collecting her first birdie on the 13th hole. She picked up shots at the 17th and 18th before reeling off three successive birdies from the second.

“My putting actually saved me quite a few times. I didn’t have any bogeys today, so I made some really good par putts and drained a lot of putts from over 15 feet,” she said.

“I had three birdies in a row on the front nine at the second, third and fourth, which was my back nine, because I teed off ten. I would say both two and three were about 15 feet. Four was around six feet. I had 28 putts, 11 fairways and 15 greens.”

Van der Graaff was content with her third round of one under par 72 on the South Course. The 29 year old from Rÿswÿk in Holland said: “I hit it really well and almost every shot was a good hit so that makes it easier.

“I made one bogey and two birdies so I had a solid round and one drop in this weather is pretty good, I think."

She has her friend and fellow LET professional Marieke Nivard on caddie duties this week, while Ewart has chosen not to have a caddie.

Another Dutchwoman, Kyra Van Leeuwen ended the day tied for six on one under par with Clare Queen, Alexandra Villatte and Anais Maggetti, while Maria Beautell shot a four under 69 on the South Course and moved up to tenth place.

First round co-leader Sharmila Nicollet’s 80 saw her slip into a share of 11th on one over par, while fellow first round co-leader Chrisje de Vries was in a share of 14th after a 73.

The 90-hole Final Qualifying School is being played with 36 holes on each of La Manga Club’s North and South courses for the first four rounds with a cut to the leading 50 players and ties after 72 holes. The fifth round will be played on the South Course on Thursday and the top 30 players will earn LET Membership in category 8a.

LET Q School Leaderboard

1/17/2012

Delaney Still Chasing as Gillen Retires

Martina Gillen of Beaverstown retired after the second round of the Ladies European Tour Q School in La Manga, Spain.

Tara Delaney plays round three on Tuesday with work still to be done to remain within the cut for the first 72 holes.

England’s Jodi Ewart fired a four under par 67 on the North Course at La Manga Club in Spain on Monday to take a one stroke lead after the second round of Final Qualifying School for the 2012 Ladies European Tour season.

The 24-year-old from Middleham in North Yorkshire mixed six birdies with two bogeys for a seven under par 36-hole total of 137.

Alexandra Vilatte

The former Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup player is now poised to achieve a dream double after earning her LPGA Tour card in December.

She ended the day a stroke ahead of three other players. French amateur Alexandra Vilatte, the first round co-leader Sharmila Nicollet of India and Heather Bowie-Young of the United States were all on six under par.

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Marjet Van der Graff from the Netherlands finished a stroke further behind in a share of fifth place, followed by Scotland’s Clare Queen and Thailand’s Piyathida Ployumsri on four under par.

Ewart said: “I hit 16 greens and had 30 putts so it was just really steady and I birdied my last two holes so that helped a lot. I felt like I left a couple of shots out there so that’s always good when you shoot four under. Everything is really steady and I’m just taking it one shot at a time.”

Living in Sarasota, Florida, where she trains at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Ewart is used to playing in sunny weather, but she was prepared for the heavy rain and strong winds which were predicted for the second round. She and the rest of the field of competitors were pleasantly surprised to find blue skies and a light breeze by mid morning.

Sharmila Nicollet

“The weather charts said an 80 per cent chance of rain but it was nice all day. There was not too much wind so it was perfect really,” said Ewart, who spent four years studying psychology at the University of New Mexico.

Overnight co-leader Nicollet held her nerve to post a one under par 70 on the North Course. The 20-year-old from south of Bangalore mixed five birdies with four bogeys to remain well within the top 30 places eligible for a full tour card after five rounds.

“My recoveries were good today and my driving was good compared to yesterday, so the goal for the week is to finish under par in total and every day, so that is the mentality for the week,” said Nicollet. “The course is playing short for me; distance is my strength so most of the time I have a 52 degree in and I can reach the par fives in two. I think this is my strength over the other players so the target is to go low.”

Vilatte, a 29-year-old amateur from Paris, led the European ranking in 2005 and she has spent the last six years studying to become a pharmacist.

On her second round of four under par 69 on the South Course, containing six birdies and two birdies, she said: “The best part of my game was my irons but my driving was good too. My wedges were very good too and on the par fives that was great.”

Bowie Young, 36, a full-time member of the LPGA who represented the United States at The 2003 Solheim Cup is hoping to give herself more playing options by joining the Ladies European Tour and her second round of five under par 68 on the South Course put her in the ideal position.

Marjet Van der Graaff from the Netherlands is playing to retain her playing rights after four years on tour, while Queen is also trying to keep her card having played on tour for six seasons.

The fifth round will be played on the South Course on Thursday and the top 30 players will earn LET Membership in category 8a.

1/13/2012

Gillen Sole Success at LET Q School

Martina Gillen of Team Ireland Golf was the only Irish player to come through the Ladies European Tour pre-qualifying tournament at La Manga yesterday.

The field for the 72-hole event was divided into two groups, with 35 places available in each for final qualifying, which starts at La Manga on Sunday.

All the players competed alternately on the North and South courses at the Spanish resort.

Gillen comfortably finished joint 15th in Group B on seven-over par - 18 shots behind England's Hannah Burke.

Burke won the Irish Women's Open Strokeplay Championship in 2010 at Newlands.

The previous year she lost a marathon play-off at the seventh tie-hole to Lisa Maguire at Slieve Russell.

Former Curtis Cup player Danielle McVeigh and PGA professional Marion Riordan finished outside the qualifying places.

McVeigh was tied-54th in Group B on 17-over par, while Riordan finished joint 60th on 18-over par in Group A.