Olivia Mehaffey, who enjoyed a standout collegiate career in the United States, and Tom McKibbin, still a teenager who fast-tracked a route into the professional ranks, continued to make the most of their sponsor's exemptions into the ISPS Handa World Invitational in successfully making the cut in the unique event, with separate women's and men's tournaments.
While American Emma Talley led the way in the women’s event - co-sanctioned on the LPGA Tour and the LET - in adding a second 65 to her opening 67 to reach the midpoint on 13-under-par 132, Mehaffey, just weeks into her professional career, shot a 72 for 142 to be in tied-26th place.
“I love this game and very passionate about it, and since I was six years old I’ve wanted this, so I’m telling myself to really enjoy it and truly generally enjoy every single moment. It doesn’t feel like work so far. I’m just loving being out there. I’m excited for the future.
“I feel like my game has been trending nicely the past few years. I’ve had a very good amateur career, and it’s been a while coming,” said Mehaffey, who plans on playing stateside for the rest of the season in then aiming to secure a LPGA card at Q-School later this year.
In the men’s event, New Zealander Daniel Hillier - in just his seventh outing on the European Tour - claimed the halfway lead with a stunning 62 for a 36-holes total of 129 where McKibbin, just 18 years of age, led the home contingent in signing for a 69 for 136.
The highlight of McKibbin’s round was a chip-in eagle on the Par 5 10th at Galgorm Castle and he also finally got the better of the 18th, with a birdie. “It’s nice to have made it through to the weekend. I’ve come into this week with a lot of confidence and I’m just trying to play my game,” he said.
Leading scores
Men’s
129 - Daniel Hillier (NZ) 67 62
130 - Jordan Smith (Eng) 62 68
132 - Garrick Porteous (Eng) 68 64, David Horsey (Eng) 67 65
133 - Matthias Schmid (Ger) 64 67, Carlos Pigem (Sp) 70 63, Nacho Elvira (Sp) 66 67, Eddie Pepperell (Eng) 66 67
Irish (made cut)
136 - Tom McKibbin 67 69
138 - Simon Thornton 70 68, Dermot McElroy 72 66
140 - Niall Kearney 69 71
Women’s
132 - Emma Talley (USA) 67 65
135 - Chella Choi (SKor) 66 69, Jennifer Kupcho (USA) 66 69
136 - Charley Hull (Eng) 68 68, Gemma Dryburgh (Scot) 66 70
137 - Min Seo Kwak (SKor) 67 70
Irish (made cut)
142 - Olivia Mehaffey 70 72
