Coulter gets to grips with Grange to make last 16 in AIG Women's Close
Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle Golf Club). Picture: Thomas Caffrey/Golffile
Title favourite Beth Coulter hit top form again after struggling in qualifying to set up a last-16 clash with Tramore’s Anna Dawson in the AIG Irish Women’s Close at Grange.
After finishing only 11th in Saturday’s 36-hole strokeplay qualifier after rounds of 79 and 80, 13 shots behind leading qualifier Aideen Walsh, the Kirkistown Castle star (18) was an estimated three-under in an 8&6 win over Black Bush’s Niamh O’Grady.
Championship matchplay bracket
“I played a lot better today,” said Coulter, who faces a tough match with Dawson, who had to work hard to eliminate Grange veteran Sheena McElroy 3&2. “It’s nice to have the win going into tomorrow. It was about having no expectations today and just going out and playing the match. Thankfully I won, and I get to play my good friend Anna tomorrow.”
Top seed Walsh faces Woodbrook’s Nicola Coffey following a 6&5 win over Grange’s Ella Wojnar.
“I needed time to adjust to matchplay today,” the Lahinch star said. “I focused too much on Ella instead of focusing on my own game. I thought too much about the match, instead of playing my own ball. I’ll work on that this evening. It’s all about seeing if I can get through tomorrow’s matches now.”
No fewer than 13 of the 16 seeds made it through with Roscommon’s Olivia Costello (14) set to face the vastly experienced Laura Webb thanks to a 4&3 win over Douglas’ Aoife Ni Thuama.
Aine Donegan, Sara Byrne, Rebekah Gardner, Clodagh Coughlan and Katie Poots also progressed, while the Ita Wallace Plate will finish today with Kayleigh Mulholland, Sophie Sharp, Eina Pang and Jenny Maguire in the last four.
