Kelsey, Katherine share lead in English open stroke-play

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Top Scottish golfer Kelsey MacDonald and Welsh international Katherine O’Connor scored one-under par 71 to share the lead after the first round of the English women’s open strokeplay championship at Whittington Heath, Staffordshire.
They are one shot clear of a group of four players on level par: 14-year-old Charley Hull (Woburn) started and finished her round with a birdie; Rachael Goodall (Heswall) eagled the first, while Irish international Aedin Murphy (Alford) had two eagles over the closing holes to come home in three-under 33. Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) was two-under on the back nine, helped by four birdies.
Stirling University student Kelsey, who is the reigning Scottish ladies and U21 champion and was beaten finalist in the British championship at Ganton in June, was pleased with her start: “It’s good to post a score and then drive on from that,” she said. “I always find the first day really tough. You can’t win anything on the first day and it’s good to know you’re in the mix.”
The 19-year-old from Nairn Dunbar was up and down over the front nine and, despite two birdies, she reached the turn at two over par. Undeterred, she came home in three-under par 33, helped by four birdies.
“I wasn’t bothered at the turn because I know I can come back in a lot under. In Spain earlier this year I was three-over at the turn and came back in seven-under!” said Kelsey.
The strength of her game was patience: “The course is very dry and you have to expect a bad bounce. It’s also a course where you have to be very accurate off the tee and course management is absolutely crucial.”
Katherine O’Connor, a member of Tadmarton Heath and the Oxfordshire champion, was quick to thank the local member who caddied for her. “He was really good and I’ve booked him for tomorrow!” she said.
“You have to be very careful about the clubs you take from the tees here and local knowledge was very helpful.”
Katherine has been working hard on her putting this season and was rewarded with a very solid performance from 6ft which helped her to a tidy card with two bogeys and three birdies. “It’s a good start and good boost for the confidence,” she said.
The local challenge is led by Claire Howells (Moor Hall), who is a member at Whittington Heath and shot two-over 74. It’s the second time she’s played on home ground in a national championship and she reckons she was more relaxed this time round.
“I knew there was going to be the added pressure of playing at home but I also knew how to cope with it,” said Claire, who had birdies on 13 and 14. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow – and keeping my fingers crossed!”
Sue Spencer, another Whittington member, is tidily placed on 78 in a group which includes defending champion Charlotte Wild (Mere).
There’s a strong international flavour to the field and the competitors include 15-year-old Julie Yang of Korea, who is based in Scotland. She already holds the Welsh open strokeplay title and last week played in the Ricoh Women’s British Open Championship. She was three-over in the first round of this event.
After tomorrow’s second round the field will be cut to the top 36 players and ties who will contest the final 36 holes on Thursday.
Other Scottish-based players' scores:
75 Julie Yang (Kings Acre).
76 Megan Briggs (Kiolmacolm).
78 Laura Murray (Alford)
82 Jane Turner (Craigielaw)

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