It’s a tight leaderboard at the end of the first round of the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by AVIV Clinics with four players in a share of the lead.
Switzerland’s Kim Metraux, England’s Gabriella Cowley, Sweden’s Ellinor Sudow and Australia’s Karis Davidson all fired rounds of 69 (-4) at Castlerock to be out in front.
It was a steady day for Swiss star Metraux, who only had one dropped shot on her card and rolled in five birdies.
“Just overall a really solid day,” said Metraux. “I started off well with a birdie on one and that kind of got me going through the round.
“I managed to not really miss many greens. The only one I missed was when I made bogey on 15. I was a bit unfortunate to make a bogey on a reachable par-five, but overall I was just really solid from tee to green and managed to drop a few putts, which was really nice.
“Links is definitely something different than what we play year long, but we did play Scottish two weeks ago. That kind was good preparation I guess for today and most of the tournaments we play on LET, although not links courses, we’ve had quite a windy season.
“Galgorm is very different from here. It’s like two completely different worlds. A lot softer course with thick rough, so it’s definitely a different challenge, but if I keep hitting fairways and greens we’ll be in good shape.”
England’s Cowley got off to a solid start making birdies on the third, eighth, 10th and 11th holes.
The 27-year-old dropped a shot on the 13th but soon bounced back with birdies on 15 and 17, but unfortunately found trouble on the last and ended with a bogey for her round of four-under.
Cowley explained: “For my birdie on 10, it was playing quite tough into the wind. I hit a really good drive and hit 5-iron and it was just perfect; I holed a good putt. I made a few birdies today which was nice.
“Being on a links course it was windy this afternoon, so I was just trying to manage the ball flight and the kind of shots that we’re trying to hit. I think the course was playing tough, but there were obviously a few par-fives that we can reach which was good for us.
“I like Galgorm. I played there for the last few years, so looking forward to tomorrow. My plan is similar to today. Trust what I’m doing and hit the shots that I need to hit and play good golf.
“Obviously completely different course, completely different style. It’s not so much managing how much it runs out and how much the wind…
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