It’s an all-Irish affair at the top of the leaderboard on day one of the LET Access Series’ Iberdola Calatayud Ladies Open as Dromoland Castle’s Sara Byrne and Castlerock’s Annabel Wilson share the lead on -5.
The final event of the LET Access season offers one last opportunity for players to push their way up the rankings and gain one of seven LET cards on offer, or to tune up for upcoming LPGA and LET Q-School events, and Byrne and Wilson both displayed that their games are in fine shape.
Byrne is coming off back-to-back weeks playing as a tournament invitee on the premier European circuit and came roaring from the traps with five birdies in her opening seven holes. She couldn’t maintain the pace, but recovered a dropped shot on 12 with a sixth birdie on 14 and parred her way home to set the clubhouse target.
Playing just behind her fellow countrywoman, Wilson put together an even more impressive opening nine, making birdies at one, two, six and nine, and crowning it with an eagle-three at the fourth.
She dropped shots on 13 and 15, but responded with a final bogey on 17 to join Byrne at -5 and the duo look down on the rest in a two-way tie for the lead with Holland’s Marit Harryvan and Frenchwoman Marine Griffaut trailing by a single stroke on four-under.
“I got off to such a good start being five-under through nine, my foot came off the gas a little bit unfortunately on the back nine but still happy to play solid golf all around,” Byrne said afterwards.
“The golf course is beautiful; the weather is gorgeous and it’s a really good experience so far.”
Byrne comes into this event having made two consecutive cuts on the LET at the La Sella Golf Open and the Lacoste Ladies Open de France where she placed 41st and 28th respectively.
“There is not a big difference in the standard between the LET and LETAS, showing that the tour is getting stronger and stronger but obviously making those cuts gives me a lot of confidence and I’m playing well,” she added.
Byrne has her father on the bag once again and credits him with having fun out on the golf course.
“We’re coming off a long stretch together, so it is getting to the point where we do want a bit of a break but it’s great fun with him.
“Tomorrow, I want to do the same thing. I’m being aggressive with the targets out there and I think that is important. It’s about giving myself opportunity for some birdies.”
Wilson was delighted to join Byrne at the top of the leaderboard and is hoping for an all-Irish duel over the final two rounds.
“I feel great, the front nine was amazing. I hit a lot of putts and the back nine I thought I felt I hit the ball better, but the putts didn’t drop but overall, I’m happy,” she said.
“It’s amazing to see women’s golf in Ireland getting stronger and stronger. When I was growing up there was maybe three or four but now, we’ve got a great bunch coming through. We are all rooting for each other out here.”
It’s just over a year and a month since Wilson underwent ACL surgery but she’s made an impressive return to the course this season, including turning professional at her home LET tournament.
“I needed the time to do a bit of work on my short game and the injury forced me to do that.”
“So far, I’m loving life as a professional. Golf is golf it will always be the same, but all the extra stuff is great. I’m enjoying meeting lots of new people and the girls on tour, so far everything has been lovely.”