New Zealand’s Hanee Song fired the best round of the day (69) to sit at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge at Panorama Golf Resort.
The 28-year-old, who started on hole ten, got off to a hot start rolling in two consecutive birdies on holes 11 and 12 before dropping back a shot on 13.
After five consecutive pars, Song had a bogey on the first before finishing strong by rolling in three birdies on her back nine.
“I played solid from start to finish today. Starting off with two birdies made me feel comfortable. This course is tough and hilly so whenever I got the opportunity, I made sure to take it.”
Song, who has made the journey over from New Zealand for a summer in Europe, made the cut at the LET’s Women’s NSW Open finishing tied 43rd.
“I’ve been feeling a little bit burnt out throughout the Australian season. I spent five months in Europe last year playing on the LET, then a short break before playing on the WPGA.
“So, the last couple of months I’ve been at home just recovering and working on my game which has made me fresh.”
Song this week is supported by both her mum and dad, with her father Steve on the bag.
Czech amateur Amalie Tauer, France’s Ariane Klotz and the Netherland’s Nikki Hofstede all finished on two-under-par after the first round to tie second.
17-year-old Czech amateur, Amalie Tauer made a strong start to her third year playing the Amundi Czech Ladies challenge.
It was a colourful scorecard for Tauer, who got off to a hot start rolling in two consecutive birdies on holes two and three before carding bogey, double bogey, bogey on the next three holes.
Tauer kept her cool to roll in a birdie on the ninth before firing up the flatstick to card five birdies and one bogey on the back nine.
“I made a few mistakes out there but I’m proud of myself!” Tauer exclaimed.
“My boyfriend is on the bag this week. He was amazing and helped me through when I was nervous and stressed. At the last hole, the adrenaline really kicked in, but I managed to make par.”
Tauer, who this week is playing on her home course, has played twice before in this tournament but is yet to make a cut and wants this year to be the year.
“Tomorrow, I want to focus on the same things; I want to keep calm, breathe and it will all be good. I’m confident and feeling ready.”
Also, on two-under-par is French professional Ariane Klotz who had a flawless front nine of three birdies.
At the turn the 25-year-old from Antibes rolled in four pars in a row before dropping back two shots on holes fourteen and sixteen before a birdie on 18 put her back on top of the leaderboard.
“I think it’s a gorgeous course and I had a lot of fun playing it. I think I was a bit scared of it. It’s a course you respect.
“My expectations were low, and I think that’s what helped me today. I knew to take it one shot at a time.
“Tomorrow the plan is to show up, try to play some good golf and again take it one shot at a time and post a good score hopefully.”
The Netherland’s Nikki Hofstede had a great first day at Panorama Golf carding two bogeys, twelve pars and four birdies to finish on two-under-par.
“I felt nervous coming into today as the course is tricky. You have to stay patient and use any opportunity you get.
“Once you get ahead of yourself on this course it will come right after you. So tomorrow I will try to keep my head in the game and see where it takes me.
“I think this is one of the best venues we play. It’s definitely a challenge.”
2024 is Hofstede’s comeback year after a wrist injury saw her sit out on last season, yet it still affects her game.
“Last week was tough, I felt pain in my wrist again, so I wasn’t in a great spot mentally. I’ve spoken to coaches, physios and taken some pressure off the wrist and today it went well.”
Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall, who won the 2021 Golf Uppsala Open as an amateur, sits in fifth on 71 (-1) alongside Scotland’s Clara Young.
Morocco’s Lina Belmati, Poland’s Nicole Polivchak, Australia’s Stephanie Bunque, Czechia’s Barbora Bujakova (a), Germany’s Helen Briem (a) and Greece’s Alkyonie Aharidis all sit in seventh on par.
Round two begins at 7:45am local time and following play there will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties.
Follow all the action throughout the tournament on the LETAS social media channels – @letaccess on Instagram, X, and Ladies European Tour Access Series on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #Access2Let #ACLC2024
