GOLF DIGEST:LET TOUR: Solheim Cup wild-card Anna Nordqvist fired a six-under-par 66 to seize a one stroke lead on the opening day of the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe at Harlech.
The 22-year-old Swede carded five birdies and an eagle over the Royal St David’s links on a spectacular day at the stunning seaside course.
On her first visit to Wales, the Ladies European Tour rookie dropped just one shot at the par-four third hole and picked up two birdies at holes six and eight going out.
She came home in just 30 strokes after birdies at the 11th, 13th and 17th, along with an eagle at the 439-yard par-five 15th, where she knocked in a 30-foot putt.
Australian Katherine Hull and South African Ashleigh Simon shared second place on 67.
Tara Delaney leads the Irish challenge on level-par 72. Claire Coughlan-Ryan and Rebecca Coakley are on 74, with Martina Gillen and Hazel Kavanagh shooting 75s.
CHALLENGE TOUR: Rhys Davies of Wales and Finland’s local hero, Antti Ahokas, stood toe to toe and traded birdies and eagles like prize fighters trading punches at Linna Golf near Helsinki yesterday to share the first round lead in the SK Golf Challenge. The two 24 year olds collected a total of 10 birdies and an eagle between them – not spilling a single shot – to shoot 66s and break the Linna course record of 67 established earlier in the day by Dane Jacob Olesen.
Scotland’s Jamie McLeary sustained his hot streak of form when he blitzed Linna Golf’s back nine in 32 shots to force his way into the frame for back to back wins on the European Challenge Tour.
McLeary, who closed with a 68 to win his first title, opened his account in with an identical score to sit two behind Ahokas and Davies after the first day.
Colm Moriarty and Michael McGeady are best of the Irish at one-over-par 73, with Dan Sugrue on 79 and Stephen Grant on 82.
TOUR NEWS: Japanese schoolboy Ryo Ishikawa has promised to make the cut at next week’s PGA Championship after flopping at his first two majors.
“I missed the cut at the last two but I’m going there on a wave this time,” said the 17-year-old, who won his second title of the season last weekend.
“I’ve never seen the course but I’m not worried about it. It’s what I do when I’m there that counts. I’m determined to qualify for the weekend this time. It’s a learning process. My driving will be key,” added Ishikawa, who missed the cut along with playing partner Tiger Woods at last month’s British Open. He made his major debut at the US Masters in April.
AMATEUR: Ireland lost their Boys Home International title at Hankley Common yesterday when they were crushed 12-3 by an inspired England side.
Needing at least a share of the spoils to retain their crown Ireland were always playing second fiddle and when they trailed 4-1 after the foursomes the writing was on the wall.
Ireland’s winners in the morning were Paul Dunne, one of the weeks most successful players, and Dermot McElroy, who got out of the blocks fast and were on top throughout against Chris Lloyd and Adam Carson, winning in the end by 4 and 2.
After that it was a sorry story, although Garth McGee and Colin Fairweather looked like seeing off Jonathan Bell and James Webber when they were three up after 12 holes. Bell and Webber dug deep, though, and won the 14th, 15th and 17th to draw level. Then Bell canned a 15-footer for a birdie at the last to give them victory and the English a commanding lunch-time advantage.
Unfortunately for Ireland it was one-way traffic in the afternoon – although margins of victories were not great England were always going to get home.They won three matches on the last hole and another two on the penultimate green. McGee and Daniel Murphy were the only Irish singles winners.
Ireland, who knew their chances of wresting the title from England in the girls internationals on the Lancashire coast were virtually non-existent as they required an 8-1 success, had hoped they might end the week on a high but it was not to be.
England were in tremendous form and they romped to a 6½-2½ victory after the foursomes were shared.
SENIORS: Maurice Kelly from Killeen and Canada’a Graham Cooke share the lead on 150 at the halfway mark in the British Seniors Amateur Championship at Preswick.
Kelly had rounds of 77 and 73, with Cooke shooting 71 and 79. Adrian Morrow and Val Smyth are two shots back on 152.
