Scotland’s Hannah McCook claims an early lead after firing four-under 69 in the first round of the Trust Golf Links Series – Ramside Hall Golf Club.
The 28-year-old opened her round with a birdie on the par-five first hole and followed that with two more on holes six and seven.
“I would always take four-under for the first round. It was really windy, and I played the course yesterday for the first time so I’m pretty delighted actually,” commented McCook.
The leader dropped one shot on the par-four eighth to make the turn in 35 strokes as the wind started picking up in the northeast of England.
“What works for me the most playing in such windy conditions is trusting the shot that I’ve got and trusting that I’m aiming far enough sideways when it’s a crosswind.”
The Scot, who took a two-year break due to the pandemic followed by an injury is yet to clinch her first professional win.
She came close to the top position twice in the last month as she finished runner-up in Montauban and T4 in Saint-Omer last week.
“I have my mum on the bag this week which is really nice. The last time she caddied for me was in 2019 and she caddied a lot while I was still an amateur in 2018 when we won a couple of times together,” said the 11th player on the LETAS Order of Merit.
English amateur Ana Dawson is in outright second after carding a round of three-under-par 70. The Isle of Man native had six birdies and three bogeys en route to the second-best round of the day.
Two players share second place as Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen and Germany’s Chiara Noja both carded two-under 71 in the opening round.
One shot back and in the tie for fifth are England’s Emily Toy, rookies Jordan Ryan from Wales and Sara Kjellker from Sweden, and Australia’s Kristalle Blum who started her round with four back-to-back birdies on holes two through five.
Wrapping up the top-10 at level-par are six players. Scotland’s Tara Mactaggart, Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, Sweden’s Corinne Viden, and English amateur trio Lianna Bailey, Rebecca Earl, and Jessica Hall are all in a tie for ninth.
Round two starts on Thursday at 8:30 BST from the first hole. After the completion of 36 holes, 45 professionals plus all ties will make the cut.
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