It’s a tight leaderboard at the end of the first day of the Get Golfing Women’s Golf Championship with four players tied on three-under-par.
Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall, Denmark’s Natacha Host Husted, England’s Billie-Jo Smith and France’s Lucie Malchirand all fired an opening round of 69 (-3) around the Club at Mill Green.
Arwefjall got off to a hot start with a birdie on the first but a bogey on the par five fifth hole set the Swede back to level par.
Arwefjall, who currently sits at number one on the LETAS Order of Merit, continued her fine form rolling in two consecutive birdies on holes 10, 11 before another dropped in at the 17th.
‘It felt good out there. I was hitting some good shots. I gave myself some birdie opportunities. So, I feel good for tomorrow.”
This is the inaugural year for the Get Golfing Women’s Golf Championship and players are enjoying the festival-like atmosphere.
“This week the atmosphere is amazing, it’s so nice. Everything they’ve built around the tournament is great. They’ve done an amazing job with the set up.”
Arwefjall, who has won two times this season in Sweden, is enjoying being the one to watch.
“It’s always fun to be the number one. Obviously, everyone wants to be it. I just take it week by week. As I’ve said before I just focus on having fun out there.”
Denmark’s Natacha Host Husted also had a strong start with birdies on holes one and three before dropping her first shot of the day on the sixth.
“Today, it was just a grind all day long. I played well off the tee so that helped me a lot.
“I was never really in big trouble. My main goal was to just keep it in play and then try to make some putts.
“There are so many people out here and the set-up is awesome. I think it’s cool.
“I’m so glad to see what this tournament is doing for women’s golf.”
Host Husted is staying at friend and local favourite’s house England’s Ellen Hume this week alongside other Ole Miss Graduates.
“It’s not always the easiest thing to be out here. So, the fact we have each other is incredible.
“The Hume household is so much fun. There is a lot of children and a lot of us there this week in general. We are having a lot of fun.”
England’s Billie-Jo Smith carded six birdies and three bogeys to share the lead.
“It’s nice to play in your own country because the grass is like what I’m used to, it’s easy to have conversation but I think it does come with pressure as well.
“Obviously everyone wants you to do well, and you’ve got to live up to your expectations as well as your own.
“I think I handled it well today.
“I got frustrated in the moment, but I managed to move on when things didn’t quite go to plan.
“Tomorrow I just need to stay patient.”
France’s Lucie Malchirand, playing in the penultimate group starting on 10, had a strong start with two birdies on holes 10 and 11 before a bogey occurred on the 17th.
It was a solid back nine of two birdies on holes five and seven.
“In the last few weeks my game has been getting better and better. I think my confidence is back again. I’m happy to play well and be on top again.
“This week we’ve been lucky with the weather. I mean the sun is here so I’m happy about that.”
Malchirand, who won the LET’s 2021 Italian Open as an amateur has played this season on LETAS and has made every cut.
“The season is by no means finished but so far, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs during this year. I’ve had medical issues as well, so I mean it’s not finished.
“My swing is getting better and I’m pitching it much better and I’m improving my game and I’m happy.”
Further down the leaderboard, six players are tied for fifth on two-under-par.
The second round begins at 7:30am local time on Saturday and there will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties at the end of the day.
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