Maguire and Walsh five behind in Wales

Leona Maguire of Ireland tees off on the fourth hole during the first round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on July 31, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales. (Photo by Morgan Harlow/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Leona Maguire and Lauren Walsh produced batting finishes to match title favourite Lottie Woad and keep the leaders in their sights at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl.

Walsh got up and down for par on the last four holes, single-putting each time for a 72 that left her tied for 51st on day one.

She was joined on that mark by Solheim Cup star Maguire, who birdied the par-three 15th and par-five 18th to emerge unscathed from a rollercoaster day.

The Cavan star sandwiched birdies at the fifth and ninth between bogeys at the first, fourth, 11th and 14th before her tidy finish.

Pre-tournament favourite Woad also birdied the last to shoot level par on a day when five strokes covered the top 73.

“Definitely a bit mixed,” Woad said. “Hit some good shots too, but nice to birdie the last and finish on level.”

Japan dominated the opening day as Eri Okayama and Rio Takeka shot five under 67s to lead by a shot from compatriot Miyu Yamashita with Shiho Kuwaki and Mao Saigo just one stroke further back in ten-way tie for fourth.

Elm Park’s Anna Foster made three birdies but three bogeys and double bigeys at the third and 14th added up to a 76 that left her 111th.

At the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship in North Carolina, Séamus Power failed to build on a fast start and ended his day eight shots behind early leader Joel Dahmen.

The West Waterford star needs to win at Sedgefield Country Club to qualify for the first FedEx Cup playoff event, but a one under 69 left him outside the top 50 in Greensboro.

He birdied the second from seven feet, two putted for birdie at the par five fifth and then made a seven footer at the eighth and a 25 footer at the ninth to turn in four under 31.

But after missed fairways cost him shots at the 10th and 11th, he dropped another when he failed to get up and down from greenside rough at the 598-yard 14th.

Dahmen out scored Power by nine strokes on the back nine as he followed four birdies and bogey going out with six birdies, including three in a row to finish, in a homeward nine of 29.

His nine-under 61 gave him a one-shot lead over Sweden’s Alex Noren.

At the HotelPlanner Tour’s Farmfoods Scottish Challenge, Jonny Caldwell’s two-under 69 left him just inside the cut line at Schloss Roxburge, eight shots behind England’s Will Enefer.

Alex Maguire was the only other Irish player to break par, carding a 70 to share 61st as level par 71s left Max Kennedy, Dermot McElroy and Mark Power joint 75th.

Anna Dawson (Tramore) will take on Zoe McLean-Tattan in the semi-finals. Photo: Inpho | Leah Scholes

Meanwhile, Tramore’s Anna Dawson made 16 birdies and one match winning eagle to book her place in the semi-finals of the AIG Irish Women’s Amateur Close Championship at Ardee.

Recently called up for the Home Internationals, Dawson squeaked through strokeplay qualifying before making ten birdies en route to a 20th hole quarterfinal win over Knock’s Katie Poots.

“It was a crazy match; we were holing putts like there was no tomorrow,” Dawson said. “It was one up. one down the whole way this morning so lucky I finished it on 20.”

She went on to make another six birdies against Ballinrobe’s Shannon Burke before chipping in for eagle at the 17th to set up a semi-final clash with Romford’s Zoe McLean-Tattan

“It was very close the whole way with Shannon, bridies were definitely winning it,” said Dawson.

“We halved so many holes in pars too. It was nice to finish off the match with an eagle there on 17.”

Belvoir Park’s Holly Hamilton will face Co Louth’s Ellen O’Shaughnessy in the other semi-final following respective wins over Anna Abom (2&1) and Molly O’Hara (7&6).

Kanturk’s Mairead Martin plays play defending champion Clodagh Coughlan of Douglas as Royal Portrush’s Laura Webb takes on Greenore;s Seána McGuinness in the Plate semi-finals,.

In the Girls’ Plate,  Hollinwell’s Molly Campbell will face Stackstown’s Alexandra Kearney with the winner to play  Royal Portrush’s Gemma McMeekin or Malone’s Eva Branks.

In the ISPS Handa G4D at Ardee, Brendan Lawlor opened with a one-under 70 to lead by seven shots from Cian Arthurs.