Foster qualifies for AIG Women’s Open
Elm Park’s Anna Foster will join Leona Maguire and Lauren Walsh in this week’s AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.
The Dubliner (23) was one of 17 players to come through Final Qualifying at nearby Pyle & Kenfig, carding a three under 68 to finish a shot behind leading qualifier Anna Hung (16) of Canada.
“The 4 am alarm this morning was definitely something else!” said Foster, who is enjoying an impressive rookie season on the Ladies European Tour.
“But once I saw the draw, I was really pleased that I was out first, with the fresh greens and the calmer conditions.
“I was delighted to be able to take advantage of playing early and do the simple things effectively, like playing the par-5s well.”
Foster went off in the first group at 6:45 am and qualified in joint second with Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol.
“I was first reserve for the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open last week but didn’t get in,” added Foster, who is 28th in the LET’s Order of Merit.
“I drove down from there on Friday and got to play here at Pyle & Kenfig on Saturday and Sunday, so that definitely helped.
“I played in the AIG Women’s Open in 2023 at Walton Heath, and it was quite an overwhelming experience as an amateur, but now I feel I have more confidence in myself.”
Amateurs Aine Donegan and Beth Coulter shot a two-over 73s to share 45th in the 107-strong field and miss out by three strokes.
Olivia Mehaffey shot 74, Annabel Wilson a 75 and Sara Byrne a 78 to finish further down the field.
Qualifiers in full:
Anna Huang, Canada -4
Anna Foster, Ireland -3
Arpichaya Yubol, Thailand -3
Hira Naveed, Australia, -2
Soo Bin Joo, Republic of Korea -2
Morgane Metraux, Switzerland -2
Alessandro Fanali, Italy -2
Brianna Do, USA -1
Olivia Cowan, Germany -1
Lydia Hall, Wales -1
Pei-yun Chien, Chinese Taipei -1
Momoka Kobori, New Zealand -1
Aline Krauter, Germany -1
Laura Fuenfstueck, Germany -1
Meja Ortengren (a), Sweden -1
Marta Martin, Spain -1
Linnea Strom, Sweden -1
