SCOTLAND TRIO STRUGGLE IN PORTUGUESE OPENING ROOUND

Scotland's trio of Alyson McKechin (Elderslie), Germany-based Rachel Taylor and Ailsa Summers (Carnoustie Ladies) posed no threat to the leaders in the first round of the Portuguese women's amateur international stroke-play championship over 72 holes at Montado Golf Club, near Lisbon today.
McKechin, pictured by Cal Carson Golf Agency, had a seven-over-par 79 for a share of 71st place.
Taylor returned a 71 for joint 85th place and Summers had an 82 to be joint 94th.
Germany's Roberta Roeller had no problems in moving two shots ahead of the field of 103 with a six-under-par 66.
Defending champion Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), winner by 11 strokes last year, had, by her high standards, an indifferent start with a par 72 which leaves her six shots off the pace but in a joint ninth position.
FIRST ROUND LEADERS
 Par 72
66 Roberta Roeller (Ger).
68 Anne Hakula (Fin), Ariane Provot (Fra).
69 Matilda Castren (Fin), Clara Baena Sanchez (Spa), Nuria Iturrios Servera (Spa).
Selected scores:
72 Leona Maguire (Ire), Gabriella Cowley (Eng) (T9).
73 Lisa Maguire (Ire), Paula Grant (Ire), Rachel Drummond (Eng), Jessica Wilcox (Eng) (T15).
74 Gillian O'Leary (Ire) (T26)
76 Jean O'Driscoll (Ire), Danielle Anderson (Eng) (T42).
77 Aedin Murphy (Ire) (T54)
78 Lucy Simpson (Ire), Dulcie Sverdloff (Eng) (T60).
79 Victoria Bradshaw (Ire), Alyson McKechin (Sco) (T71).
80 Louise Mernagh (Ire) (T80).
81 Rachel Taylor (Sco) (T85).
82 Ailsa Summers (Sco) (T94).
83 Sarah Cunningham (Ire) (T99).
86 Jessica Carty (Ire) (T101).

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE IRISH LADIES GOLF UNION

LEONA MAGUIRE BEST OF THE IRISH AT FOGGY MONTADO

Defending champion Leona Maguire fired an opening 72 to lead the lead the Irish challenge at a cold and damp Portuguese Ladies Amateur at Montado Golf Resort, Lisbon today.
In a fog-bound start, in which the tournament officials and competitors endured a 4hr delay, play commenced with a shotgun start at 12 noon to ensure all 108 players completed their opening 18 holes.
As daylight faded, the scorer’s hut burst into activity as all descended upon the clubhouse at 5.40pm in one foul swoop.
Leona opened her defence of the title with a level par 72. She trails surprise leader Roberta Roeller by six strokes as the German set the pace with an impressive 66.
Finland’s Anne Hakula and Ariane Provot (France) are next best on 68 while Lisa Maguire and Paula Grant both carded one over par 73s to lie in the top fifteen overnight. Current international Gillian O’Leary was pleased with her opening 74 having struggled with her long game while debutante Jean O’Driscoll signed for a solid 76.
Aedin Murphy was one further back on 77 while Lucy Simpson carded a 78 and Victoria Bradshaw a 79. Louise Mernagh just failed to shoot in the seventies while Sarah Cunningham signed for 83 and Jessica Carty an 86 after struggling on the slick greens.Tomorrow sees the field compete a second round of 18 holes with the final two rounds taking place over the weekend.