Australia’s Kelsey Bennett fired a fantastic first round of 67 (-5) to lead by one shot after the first day of the Hauts de France Pas de Calais Golf Open.
Bennett had a steady start with three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine but at the turn fired up the flatstick to roll in four birdies on holes 10, 14, 15 and 17.
“Today I had a good day. It felt quite solid. I holed some good putts and hit plenty of greens so I’m happy with it.”
Bennett is accompanied by friend and LET player Michele Thomson this week and the duo are making a good team.
“It’s great to have an experienced LET player on the bag this week and it’s working really well.”
Bennett has played this season between LETAS and the LET and at the end of last month qualified for the second stage of the LPGA Qualifying series.
“It was great to head over to the US and secure second stage LPGA. It’s been tricky playing between the two tours.
“I don’t really have enough points on either tour. So a good finish this week could really help.”
This week, the event is co-sanctioned with the Alps Tour, a developmental professional golf tour for men which is sanctioned by the national golf associations of France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Morocco.
Joking about the interaction between the two tours, Bennett said: “The guys hit it sideways. There has been a fair few on our fairways but it’s all good.
“It’s nice to mix it up a little bit and do something different.”
England’s Billie-Jo had a strong start to the tournament after carding a flawless opening round of 68.
Three birdies on the front nine and one on the back put the 25-year-old one shot behind Bennett.
“Today I just kept everything in play. I really like the course this week.
“It’s a tricky course with the rain especially when hitting wedges in and you run the risk of spinning it back off the green.”
Before the tournament Smith sustained a shoulder injury and came close to withdrawing her entry from the event.
Yet the Englishwoman persevered and surprised herself with a flawless round today.
“Today was a big surprise. I nearly withdrew from this week because of an injury. So, I wasn’t expecting anything.
“So, I’m happy with how it has gone.”
2024 is Billie-Jo Smith’s comeback year. At the start of 2023, Smith elected to have a minor operation to reduce a malformation in her calf muscle which would hopefully guarantee pain-free golf.
Yet disaster struck when another injury later in the season de-railed a chance to compete on tour.
“After injury there is no expectation. I didn’t even have a practice round this week.
“I just walked the course with Megan. I only hit a few balls and that was it. I’m still cautious about the injury.”
Norway’s Michelle Forsland, England’s Mimi Rhodes and Switzerland’s Anais Maggetti are tied for third on two-under-par.
Meanwhile eight players are tied for fifth on one-under-par including home favourite Ariane Klotz and Ladies Slovak Golf Open winner Tina Mazarino.
Day two for our LETAS players begins at 8:30am local time. At the end of the day there will be a cut to the top 30 professionals and ties.
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