Mehaffey leads Irish challenge at Malahide
Olivia Mehaffey. Credit: Tristan Jones/ LET
Olivia Mehaffey opened with a four under 68 to lie just a shot behind Germany’s Verena Gimmy, Austria’s Isabella Holpfer and France’s Anne-Charlotte Mora in the inaugural Women’s Irish Challenge at Malahide.
“It was a lot of fun,” Mehaffey said. “I had a nice little crowd going on and some members of my host family and my own family so it’s always nice to play at home.
“Playing at home is great but also tough. There is always a little bit more pressure but I’m just trying to enjoy it. We normally only get one opportunity, so the addition of this event is amazing.”
“The thing I’ve learned from the Irish Open is to just really enjoy it. Take it in and enjoy having the crowd on your side.”
Mehaffey is joined by her fiancé Mikey Boal on the bag, who has been aside her all season where she has played between the LET and LETAS.
Verena Gimmy
Her highest finish has been tied 33rd at Madaef Golfs Ladies Open back in April, so today could mark a turning point in her season.
“I putted well today, that’s been a struggle recently, so it was nice to have a run like that today. If there is something I want to go and do some work on it’ll just be a couple of tee shots.”
It was a generally disappointing day for the Irish with Elma Park amateur Emma Fleming the next best after Mehaffey with a two-over 74 that left her tied for 36th.
Aideen Walsh and Jessica Ross shot 75s to hare 48th, Rosin Scanlon and Canice Screene 76, Lucy Grattan 77 and Aine Donegan and Ella Moynihan 78s.
There will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties after 36 holes.
Top 10
T1. Verena Gimmy (GER) -5 (67) , Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) -5 (67) , Isabella Holpfer (AUT) -5 (67)
4. Olivia Mehaffey (NIR) -4 (68)
T5. Ainil Bakar (MAS) -3 (69) , Maria Herraez Galvez (ESP) -3 (69)
T7. Lucie Andre (FRA) -2 (70), Anna Backman (FIN) -2 (70) , Whitney Hillier (AUS) -2 (70) , Thalia Martin (ENG) -2 (70)
Other Irish
T36. Emma Fleming (IRL) (A) +2 (74)
T48. Aideen Walsh (IRL) (A) +3 (75), Jessica Ross (NIR) (A) +3 (75)
T57. Roisin Scanlon (IRL) (A) +4 (76), Canice Screene (IRL) +4 (76)
T68. Lucy Grattan (IRL) (A) +5 (77)
T83. Aine Donegan (IRL) (A) +6 (78), Ella Moynihan (IRL) (A) +6 (78)
T107. Olivia Hunt (IRL) (A) +9 (81)
T112. Olivia Costello (IRL) (A) +10 (82), Aoife Kelly (IRL) (A) +10 (82)
T118. Niamh O'Grady (IRL) (A) +11 (83)
T121. Gemma McMeekin (NIR) (A) +12 (84)
