Olivia Mehaffey secured fourth place with back-to-back 65s at the Platinum Ladies Open, while Graeme McDowell trails in The Open qualifying. Annabel Wilson shot a 65 in Australia, and Alex Maguire and Liam Nolan missed the cut in the Delhi Challenge. The Tunisia Open has been shortened to 36 holes due to wind, with Robert Moran leading the Irish players.
Olivia Mehaffey achieved her best professional finish in 640 days, securing fourth place in the Platinum Ladies Open on the Sunshine Ladies Tour with back-to-back rounds of six under par 65. Competing with conditional status on the Ladies European Tour (LET), the former Arizona State star made seven birdies at the Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, finishing four shots behind her playing partner, Kiera Floyd, who won with an impressive 11-under 60.
Kiera Floyd clinched her first professional victory with a bogey-free round featuring nine birdies and an eagle. Floyd expressed appreciation for competing alongside international players, including Olivia Mehaffey, stating, “I learnt so much from her – like how calm she is on the course.”
Graeme McDowell faces a significant challenge in securing a spot for The Open at the International Series Macau, finishing ten shots behind leader Patrick Reed after carding a five under par 65. Despite this setback, McDowell showcased resilience with eight birdies, moving up to 38th overall.
Annabel Wilson also excelled, shooting a six-under 65 at the LET’s Ford Women’s Open in Australia, improving her position to 31st at two-under. Wilson trailed competition leaders Mimi Rhodes and Sara Kouskova, both of whom set course records of 62 and 63, respectively.
In the Delhi Challenge, Alex Maguire and Liam Nolan narrowly missed the cut, finishing with scores of 71 and 74, respectively. Austrian Lukas Nemecz led the event at 11 under par, edging ahead of several competitors by a single shot.
Due to adverse weather conditions, the Tunisia Golf Open was shortened to 36 holes, with Robert Moran leading the Irish contingent. After resuming his first-round play, Moran carded a one-under 71, placing him tied for 13th at four strokes behind the leader. Several other Irish players faced challenges, with John Murphy finishing outside the cut mark.
The upcoming HotelPlanner Tour event will not take place until next month, while the Alps Tour remains in Tunisia for future events well into May.
In conclusion, Olivia Mehaffey’s commendable fourth-place finish at the Platinum Ladies Open highlights her continued growth in professional golf. Simultaneously, the performances of Graeme McDowell and Annabel Wilson underscore the competitive spirit of golfers from Northern Ireland. With the challenges faced in various tournaments, including the shortened Tunisia Golf Open, the resilience of the players showcases their dedication to the sport. Upcoming events promise more opportunities for these and other golfers to excel on the international stage.
Original Source: www.irishgolfdesk.com
