Four players; Denmark’s Natacha Host Husted, Norway’s Maiken Bing Paulsen and England’s Billie-Jo Smith and Mimi Rhodes are all tied for the top after day one of the Ahlsell Trophy by Destination Jönköping.
England’s Billie-Jo Smith had a great opening front nine of three birdies before a first mistake occurred on the par-3 12th.
Yet the Midlands based golfer kept her cool to fight back with two more birdies, including a great finish on the 18th.
“I felt comfortable out there. On the practice days I had the impression that I liked the golf course and if I kept it in position off the tee, I knew that I was probably going to have a good round, so that’s what I did.
“I like this course because you don’t necessarily have to drive it everywhere. You must position the golf ball.
“I know I can shoot that again but it’s just about doing it under the pressure that we’re under week after week.”
Smith, who currently sits seventh on the LETAS Order of Merit, has had five top 10s and last week finished just outside the top spots in 13th.
“I am happy with the season so far; I think I’m really being consistent which is something that I’ve never had before. So that is a big positive for me.
“The last couple of tournaments I have got a bit frustrated if I’m honest, but I think that’s just because I’m hungry for more.
“I think any week could be the week. It’s just if everything falls together at the right time.”
Coming into this tournament off the back of a win and a top five finish at her home course, Denmark’s Natacha Host Husted had another incredible day on the golf course carding five birdies and one bogey to finish four-under-par.
“I honestly feel very relieved after last week, I felt like I had a lot of pressure. Mostly put on me by myself. I was relieved that everything went well, and I performed the way I did.”
Host Husted, a graduate from the University of Mississippi, turned professional this year and after a small struggle the 24-year-old is now comfortably sitting fourth in the rankings with 737.50 points.
“Here I can play more freely because I have that week at my home course behind me. I played well at home so I felt like I had a bit of momentum that I could bring to the course today.”
Amateur Mimi Rhodes, who just graduated from Wake Forest had a stellar start to this tournament with a flawless front nine of three birdies.
At the turn, the 22-year-old kept the momentum to card two more birdies on holes 12 and 13 before a double bogey dropped on the 14th.
One more birdie on 17 placed the 2024 Curtis Cup player in the co-lead on 68 (four-under-par).
“I just played solid today and the putts kept dropping. Everything went my way so I’m very happy.
“My mum is on the bag again this week which is great, she just helps me stay concentrated and it’s fun to talk to someone.”
Rhodes plans to stay amateur until after the Curtis Cup and has her eyes set on becoming professional just before the Rose Ladies Open in early September.
LPGA Q School is also on the cards.
“I’m just out here enjoying the events and grateful that I’ve got the opportunity to test my game and compete. Hopefully the putts keep dropping tomorrow.”
The scores remain incredibly close at the top with eight players sitting in fifth on three-under-par.
Round two begins at 7:30am tomorrow and once play finishes there will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties.
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