Wilson and Donegan chasing re-hot Kelsey Macdonald in Australian WPGA
Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald. Picture: Tristan Jones/LET
Annabel Wilson made five birdies in a three-under 68 to keep Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald in her sights in the Australian WPGA Championship.
The Castlerock golfer made three birdies in her first seven holes at Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club and while she bookended her back nine with bogeys at the 10th and 18th, she also made birdies at the 11th and 12th to share 16th place after the opening round.
Macdonald had a day to remember, carding six birdies and holing in a 40-foot eagle putt on the last to card a course record, seven-under 64 for a one-shot lead over England’s Charlotte Heath and the in-form Women’s Australian Open champion, Hannah Green.
“Well, the first hole wasn’t that great,” said Macdonald after following a bogey at the first with six birdies and that closing eagle.
“So I had nothing to lose from then on going forward. I just positioned [well] off the tree, hit my irons really well, gave myself opportunities, and then it was just nice to finish the way I did – three, three, three, back-nine 29. I was delighted.”
The course record scorecard follows three months of golf in Australia for Macdonald, who earned her WPGA Tour of Australasia card back in December. T
Green, meanwhile, winner of the Women’s Australian Open in Adelaide four days ago, continued her fine form on Thursday, firing a bogey-free 65.
Two weeks prior, the Australian also earned her seventh LPGA Tour victory in Singapore.
Lahinch’s Aine Donegan was tied for 40th after opening with a 70.
She birdied the 12th, 18th and first to get to three under but bogeyed the second and third and followed another birdie at the par-five fourth with a bogey at the short sixth.
