Hermitage’s Kate Lanigan was the best of the Irish in the opening round of the 94th Portuguese International Ladies Amateur Championship at Penina.

Munster golfers dominated the opening day of matchplay combat in the AIG Irish Women’s Close with seven golfers from the province through to the last 16 at Ballybunion.

Kinsale’s John Murphy hopes to play Walker Cup this year and he certainly can’t be accused of not giving it 100 per cent after he finished second in the V1 Sports General Hackler Championship to clinch his third top-10 from his last four starts.