Walsh remains on course for LPGA Q-Series start after opening 71 in Spain
Lauren Walsh of Ireland during the first round. Picture: Tristan Jones / LET
Lauren Walsh edged a little closer to winning a place at next week’s LPGA Q-Series battle for a US tour card when she opened with a one-under 71 in the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España in Malaga.
The Castlewarden star (25) lies tenth in the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit and needs to remain in the top-10 after this week’s final-counting event to earn the right to battle for 25 LPGA Tour cards in Alabama next week.
While her three rivals for one of those spots — Canada’s Anna Huang, Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall and Wales’ Darcey Harry — also started well at Real Guadalhorce, Walsh birdied the last for a 71 that left her tied for 27th and projected to remain at 10th in the rankings.
She was five shots behind Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby and Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab, who shot six under 66s to lead by a shot from France’s Celine Herbin and Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes.
Arwefjall, who would have to finish in solo second or better to overtake Walsh, was tied for fifth after a 68, while Harry, who needs a top-three finish, was joint 10th after a 69 and projected to remain 16th.
Huang needs at least a top-13 finish to overtake Walsh, but her 71 left her tied with the Kildare star and projected to remain in 11th in the Order of Merit.
As for the battle for the Order of Merit, 71s left leader Shannon Tan tied with her nearest rival Mimi Rhodes in the race for the €75,000 bonus awarded to the European No 1 this term.
Elm Park rookie Anna Foster, meanwhile, was the best of the Irish, tied for 15th after a 70, while Sara Byrne was projected to remain 67th in the Order of Merit after a 72 as she looks to finish in the top 70 in the points list who will keep full playing rights.
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry returns to action today when he takes on Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood and Keegan Bradley in The Skins Game at Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
The Offaly man was a late replacement for Justin Thomas, who is recovering from back surgery.
In a twist on the usual format, players begin with $1m and fans can watch the players’ totals rise and fall in real time.
On the DP World Tour, Spain’s Sebastian García was seven under through 15 holes before play was suspended due to lightning in the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland.
He was two shots clear of Australian Daniel Gale, who won a car for acing the par-three 11th as he completed just 12 holes.
Six players were in the chasing pack on four under, including New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, China’s Wenyi Ding, Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen and local favourite Anthony Quayle, who posted 67s to lead in the clubhouse.
