Struggles for Foster, Wilson and Donegan at Australian Women’s Open
Anna Foster. Tristan Jones/LET
Ireland’s Anna Foster, Annabel Wilson and Aine Donegan struggled in the opening round of the Australian Women’s Open in breezy Adelaide.
Elm Park’s Foster (24) was tied for 84th after carding a four-over 76 at Kooyonga Golf Club, while Wilson was 98th after a 77, and Lahinch star Donegan 120th in the 144-strong field after an 80.
All three played in the windier afternoon conditions.
Wales’ Darcey Harry shot a six under 66 to lead by a shot from Germany’s Alexandra Fosterling and by two from American Anna Morgan.
Last week’s Australian Women’s Classic winner, Kelsey Bennett of Australia, Austria’s Emma Spitz, France’s Agathe Laisne and Celine Herbine, England’s Annabell Fuller and Italy’s Alessandra Fanali were tied for fourth after 69s.
Foster, who missed the cut in last week’s Women’s Classic, was level par through nine holes after mixing birdies at the 11th and 15th with bogeys at the 109th and 14th.
But a triple bogey eight at the first proved a blow and while she’d birdied the second and eighth, a double bogey at the fourth and a bogey at the sixth saw her come home in 41.
Making her first start of the season, Wilson turned in level par on the back nine after a birdie at the 11th and a bogey at the 17th. But she dropped shots coming home at the first, fourth, sixth, seventh and ninth for her 77.
Donegan also had a tough day, making three birdies, five bogeys and three double-bogeys for matching nines of 40.
Three-time major champion Minjee Lee was in a tie for 24th after a level par 72 with Grace Kim, who won her first major at last year’s Amundi Evian Championship, carding a three-over 75 in the afternoon’s breezy conditions.
