The Shire London is the only Seve Ballesteros designed golf course in the UK and will welcome the Roes Ladies Series to North London on July 30

THE Rose Ladies Series will arrive at The Shire London for its penultimate event later this month with places in the three-day Grand Final up for grabs.

Created by Olympic Champion Justin Rose and his wife Kate, the Series has caught the mood of the golf game post-lockdown.

It has given Ladies European Tour members – and a handful of the best up-and-coming English talent in the amtaeur ranks – a chance to play competitive golf, while both the LET and LPGA have remained in hibernation and the amateur calendar has been paused because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Reigning Olympic champion Rose, who came up through the Hampshire junior ranks, was keen to add another event to the original six on the list after the series was created in a matters of days in June.

And the 2013 US Open champion chose the one and only Seve Ballesteros-designed course in the UK – The Shire London – as its venue for the Rose Ladies Series’ penultimate event on July 30.

The Spanish legend’s 18-hole layout will provide a perfect challenge for players battling to compete in the 54-hole Grand Final.

The latter will be played at North Hants – Justin’s home club at Fleet – The Berkshire, at Ascot, and finally Wentworth’s West Course, from August 5-7.

Rose, who has played in five Ryder Cups, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest the series has received.

“We were keen to add another event. The Shire London is a perfect venue in which to play it for a few reasons.

“It is the only Seve-designed course in the UK and he was one of my idols growing up. But also the location and course conditioning.

“For me, it really will be a special place to hold our penultimate event.”

Liz Young who came up with the original idea for the first event in the Rose Ladies Series at her home club Brokenhurst Manor, in the New Forest. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

New women’s programme at Shire

INSPIRED by LET player Liz Young’s efforts to put on a competition for fellow professionals, starting at her home club in the heart of the New Forest, the Rose Ladies Series was designed to help professional golfers in the UK get back playing competitively.

Featuring England’s rising amateurs also resonates with the work The Shire’s owners have done to champion junior golf in recent years.

It staged the 2018 American Golf Junior Championship. It has also hosted qualifiers for the European Junior Golf Tournament as well as the Hertfordshire Futures Tour run by the county golf union.

The Shire is also launching a new programme whereby women of all abilities will be able to learn new – or develop existing – skills and techniques with the club’s new junior coach Harry Casey.

The former England international won the Carris Trophy in 2011, before earning cards on the EuroPro and Alps Tours. He also played 30 times on the European Challenge Tour.

The programme aims to be an enjoyable and social experience to bring even more women into the game.

Shire director Ceri Menai-Davis said: “We are ecstatic to be holding the Rose Ladies Series at The Shire London.

“It will not only showcase our championship quality venue, but demonstrate the Bridgedown Group’s commitment to growing the game for everyone.

“When we heard about what Justin and Kate were proposing, we were immediately excited to be involved. To be welcoming some of the biggest and brightest stars to the club will be a real thrill.”

The Shire London bears the hallmarks of European Tour legend Seve Ballesteros

Wenworth Final will create more history

THE Rose Ladies Series has already created history by becoming the first ladies professional event to be played at Royal St George’s.

And the Grand Final will break more new ground next month when the famous Wentworth West Course – which is home to the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship – will stage a women’s professional event for the first time in August.

Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh has made all the running so far to lead the Order of Merit. She has had back-to-back wins at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club and Royal St George’s.

This week the action moves north to Uttoxeter with the JCB Golf & Country Club the next stop on the Rose tour on July 16, before Berkshire’s Bearwood Lakes welcomes the players on July 23.

After The Shire, the top 51 players on the American Golf Order of Merit will be eligible for the first two rounds at North Hants and The Berkshire.

The top 36 and ties will then play 18 holes on the famous Burma Road course.

As well as American Golf matching the £35,000 donated by the Roses for prize funds covering the first seven tournaments, Computacenter has also pledged £35,000 for the Grand Final.

Rose’s agent Paul McDonnell, of Excel Sports management, said: “We are very lucky that Computacenter and American Golf have come onboard. They have made it a much more attractive and rewarding series.

“The series has really snowballed. It is great that these talented players have the chance to play in a meaningful competition.”

Sponsor Computacenter looking to the future

COMPUTACENTER’S managing director Neil Hall has suggested the sponsorshiop will be just the start of his company’s support.

He said: “Computacenter is absolutely committed to driving diversity in the tech industry and creating an environment where women can excel.

“We are very proud to support Kate and Justin in providing a powerful platform for women’s golf, both now and in the future. We look forward to a long-standing partnership.”

Next week’s event will take place behind closed doors at The Shire, on the Hertfordshire-North London border.

Strict health and safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety of the players and all those involved.

Information about the Rose Ladies Series is available by clicking here. Sky Sports will also provide updates and reports.

Check out all the behind the scene action via The Shire’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Dye is cast for future of The Shire and Bridgedown

THE Shire London – renowned for its immaculate year-round course condition and unique course layout – opened in 2007.

Over the past 12 months, its owner the Bridgedown Group has worked alongside the world-famous Dye golf course design group to bring about further improvements.

Tee-2-Green’s Pure Distinction bent grass, used on some of the world’s most famous golf course has been inter-seeded on The Shire’s greens.

The Shire measures 7,028 yards from the Championship tees. Uniquely, it has six par fives, six par fours, and six par threes. The Masters course combines links-like features amid a parkland layout.

Its location in Barnet, North London, close to the M25 and M1/A1, also makes it an accessible society day venue.

•For more information about The Shire London, visit www.theshirelondon.com.

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Meghan MacLaren put her foot down to get to five-under par through six holes at Moor Park. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren won the second Rose Ladies Series event at Hertfordshire’s Moor Park in Hertfordshire – despite a two-shot penalty for playing the wrong ball.

The two-time LET tournament winner shot a three-under par 69 to finish two strokes clear of series founder Liz Young and England amateur Samantha Fuller.

The temperatures hit 31 degrees Centigrade on the hottest day of the year in the United Kingdom as the 50-strong field tackled the High Course.

But the hottest player on the course as MacLaren, who raced to five-under after six holes on her front-nine – with a birdie at the first and eagle at the fourth.

Meghan – who helped rebrand teh Ladies European Tour by writing a script for the inspirational Raise Our Game video – birdied the short 10^th to get to six-under.

The Wellingboro Golf Club member then made double bogey on the 11th after playing the wrong ball, followed by two further bogeys on the 12th and 13th.

But a brilliant birdie on the 15th cemented her position at the top of the leaderboard.

Meghan MacLaren put her foot down to get to five-under par through six holes at Moor Park. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Meghan happy to get her edge back

MacLAREN returned to competitive golf for the first time in three months last week, following the forced break caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Meghan said: “I think everybody felt a bit more comfortable this week.

“We were thrown in at the deep end last week, because the course was really tough, and this one was tough as well.

“But you start to get your edge back, bit by bit. It’s just nice.

“We all enjoy being here and you see the same faces, so it’s a really enjoyable atmosphere.

“For someone like Justin Rose to come out and sponsor this and say the things that he did and just give us some respect, it’s meant the world to all of us.

“To turn that into action is something that we will all be grateful for, for a very long time. Just getting to play – it’s nice to be out here again.”

The winner of the 2017 LET Access Series Order of Merit was presented with a cheque for £5,000 by Justin’s wife Kate.

Meghan posed for photos with the Rose bowl alongside her sister and caddy Becky as the penalty for playing the wrong ball did not prove costly at the end.

Young moves top Order of Merit

Young was a runner-up for the second consecutive week.

She moved into the lead on the American Golf Order of Merit ahead of Charley Hull, who won last week’s opener at Brokenhurst Manor, in Hampshire.

The Solheim Cup star tied for seventh at Moor Park, despite having played in a charity pro-am at Worplesdon Golf Club earlier in the morning.

Inci Mehmet and Beaconsfield’s Rachel Drummond also played 36 holes in one day and drove the 30 miles around the M25 to get to Moor Park for their afternoon tee time.

They tied for 21st and 34th place respectively, while another Solheim Cup star, Bronte Law was unable to match MacLaren’s sparkling form and had to settle for a share of 34th.

The Rickmansworth club has hosted European Tour events, and is the spiritual home of the Carris Trophy, one of the world’s top junior events.

Moor Park also boasts European Tour winner Matt Wallace as its touring pro.

The Rose Ladies Series is made up of eight tournaments. It moves next week to The Buckinghamshire Golf Club, the home of the LET.

The series will culminate in a two-day Grand Final to be held at The Berkshire and Wentworth’s West Course on August 6-7.

Moor Park’s famous clubhouse – The High Course is one of the UK’s top parkland courses

ROSE LADIES SERIES
July 2: Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9: Royal St George’s Golf Club
16: JCB Golf and Country Club
23: Bearwood Lakes
30: The Shire, London
GRAND FINAL
August 6: The Berkshire Golf Club
7: Wentworth Golf Club (West Course)

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Ferndown’s Hayley Davis can’t wait to get started playing again – the 2019 LET Access winner will tee it up in the Rose Ladies Series at Brokenhurst Manor GC, on Thursday.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

DORSET’S Hayley Davis could not wait for the Rose Ladies Series to get under way today at Brokenhurst Manor.

Davis described the one-day tournaments for women professionals in the UK as “everything” as she prepared to make her return to competitive golf at the New Forest club.

Hayley is poised to tee it up in the first of seven rounds over the next month – plus the recently announced Tour Championship final at Wentworth.

Also in the field are Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull, from Woburn, and recent rookie winner Alice Hewson, from Hertfordshire, who won her first start on the LET in South Africa, in March.

The series has been sponsored by Hampshire’s US Open winner and Olympic gold medallist Justin Rose and his wife Kate.

Ferndown’s Davis earned her place on the Ladies European Tour for 2020, after winning the LET Access Series Order of Merit crown last year.

But with the LET schedule wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, the 27-year-old is champing at the bit for a chance to compete in the newly-formed UK series.

Asked what Rose’s sponsorship meant for the women’s game, Davis said: “It’s everything. Just that the men understand how it is for the women – and the fact he wanted to do it – means a lot.

“For us, we do just want the chance to go out there and compete again.

“So, the fact we have been given the opportunity, it’s just exciting and amazing that he wanted to do it. It was really good.

“At the end of the day, we are all sports people. We all just want the opportunity to compete.

“There’s a lot of people behind it that want women to have the recognition, because it’s quite big that we are starting to compete before a lot of other sports have been able to.

“It’s just really nice that he wants to do it and understands that we need the opportunity.”

Justin Rose after winning the Gold Medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Picture by CHRIS CONDON / International Golf Federation

Rose: I had to help women’s game

FORMER World No. 1 Rose, who grew up playing junior golf for Hampshire, was determined to give the women’s game a lift.

Just days after missing out on a play-off at Colonial by a ball’s width with his final putt of the tournament in Texas, the new series bearing his name tees off in Hampshire.

Justin, who watched Florida’s Daniel Berger beat Colin Morikawa in a play–off in the first PGA Tour event in three months on Sunday, said: “I am keenly aware that I now have the opportunity to go back to work and compete on the PGA Tour.

“But this is not the same for the ladies and some junior tours as well.

“To me this seems somewhat unfair. My wife Kate and I felt there was an opportunity to step up and help.

“We wanted to give them the opportunity to play and to be ready for when the opportunities arise later in the summer.”

Last year’s LET Access Series winner Hayley Davis had to wait patiently for starts on the tour in 2020 – only for the COVID-19 crisis to interrupt her season. Picture by MANON GUENOT

Davis and Young to tee off in first group

HAYLEY Davis is set to tee off in the opening group at 10.30am alongside Brokenhurst professional Liz Young.

The LET ace came up with the idea of the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open earlier this month – before Rose offered to back a whole series of events as the idea snowballed.

“I am just really excited to be able to go and do it again because it’s been a long break,” Davis said.

“I know it’s been the same for everyone but just to have the chance to play again, when we didn’t really know when we would get the chance to play next, it’s really good.

“Nobody really knew how long it was going to go on for,” added Davis, referring to COVID-19 lockdown.

“That was probably the hardest thing – just to keep yourself motivated, keep going practice-wise and stuff.

“You had to get the net in the garden and try to keep in the swing of it as much as you could – and just wait to find out when we could get back to it.

“It will be really good to have a chance to compete once a week. It will make us more ready to go, hopefully when we do finally get started,” talking about the LET’s return.

The visit to Brokenhurst will also mark a trip down memory lane for the former Dorset Ladies Champion, who turned pro in 2015.

The Baylor University graduate said: “I went to college there for two years a while ago now. So I got to play there a lot. It’s really nice that the first one is close to home.

“I haven’t played there for about nine years I think, so it will be good to go back there.”

Davis and Young share amateur glories

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

HAYLEY Davis shares something in common with Liz Young – they have both won the English Ladies Amateur Strokeplay title.

Davis picked up the trophy at Tandridge in Surrey, in 2014 – eight years after Young – as Liz Bennett – claimed victory at Birmingham’s Little Aston.

Charley Hull is another former English Strokeplay winner in the field, having won at Alwoodley, in Leeds, in 2011.

Davis also won the English Girls title in 2011 at Ellesborough, before becoming just the sixth player ever to also win the English Women’s Amateur title, following the likes of Claire Waite, Diane Oxley adn Rebecca Hudson.

Rose is another with links to the classic Harry Colt course in the New Forest.

A then teenage member at North Hants GC won the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy in 1996.

In the process, he set the course record at Brokenhurst Manor – the year he helped Hampshire win the English County Championship for the first time.

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Justin Rose and his wife Kate (left) have agreed to sponsor six UK events for women professionals, starting in June, at Brokenhurst Manor. Picture by WARREN LITTLE / IGF

JUSTIN Rose and his wife Kate are to sponsor the Rose Ladies Series of women’s golf tournaments in the UK – culminating in a two-day final.

The Roses decided to put up £35,0000 to sponsor the one-day events in June and July after reading about fellow Hampshire-based professional Liz Young’s efforts to put on a competition at her home club in the New Forest.

Young – who was English Women’s Amateur Strokeplay Champion in 2006 – came up with her idea to enable players to stay competitive, ahead of the LET’s return to golf.

She appealed for sponsors to help with her day at Brokenhurst Manor, where her amateur career blossomed.

She got to play with Nick Faldo in the USA and made her Curtis Cup debut at St Andrews Old Course.

And Rose, who came through the same junior ranks in Hampshire as Liz a decade earlier, not only backed the Brokenhurst event.

He also supported the formation of a mini-tour in England over the next two months including a visit to Royal St George’s in Kent.

Officially known as the Rose Ladies Series, the schedule includes:–
June
18 – Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club
25 – Moor Park Golf Club
July
2 – Buckinghamshire Golf Club
9 – Royal St George’s
16 – JCB Golf & Country Club
23 – Bearwood Lakes Golf Club
30/31 – Final TBC

Among the players who have commited to playing at Brokenhurst are Dorset’s Major winner Georgia Hall and LET winners Meghan MacLaren and Annabel Dimmock, from Wentworth.

“I can’t thank Justin and Kate enough for coming onboard, creating opportunities and increasing the visibility for professional women golfers.

“I would also like to thank the Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club members.

“Their encouragement and support has been amazing from the start.

“And I’m sure that with the news of Justin and Kate being involved, they will be as excited as I am.

“It makes me so proud to be a member of BMGC.”

Jason: ‘Time to give something back’

Liz, who played Stacy Lewis in the singles at the 2008 Curtis Cup against the USA, said: “This all started with an idea that myself and our head pro Jason McNiven had.

“We went to the club with it and we had great support from them.

“We had a vision from the start – get women competing again, increase the profile and visibility of women’s professional golf and inspire the next generation.

“Hopefully, the players would embrace the chance to play, see that it could be done and maybe take it to their clubs.

“Thanks to Justin, Kate and his team, our dream has come true… in a week!”

Jason added: “It was a simple idea and concept – play for your own money and you get to enjoy competing again.

“We are delighted to have help from Justin and Kate, as they can grow the series, which is what we initially wanted to do.

“We want to inspire the next generation. And hopefully if this is an annual event, then kids can walk the fairways with their heroes.

“It is my duty to help the girls, it is time for me to put back into the sport and help the women, so it’s the right thing to do.

“Liz and I flew the kite and it has officially taken off.”

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Club ‘delighted’ to support Rose series

Club manager Kevin Light said: “Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club is delighted to host the first event of the upcoming Rose Ladies Series.

“Knowing that Liz had spoken about the LET schedule being the strongest in a number of years – only for coronavirus to hit – we were only too happy to step in.”

Rose was inspired to help by the lack of golf facing the LET players this summer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Justin felt it was unfair that he will return to action on the PGA tour with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, in Texas, on Thursday – two months before his female counterparts are able to do so.

Rose, who won the Mike Smith Memorial Trophy in 1996 – setting the course record at Brokenhurst Manor in the process – said: “Professional sports people are not machines – we cannot just power on and go.

“We have to nurture our skills in order to rely on them when needed – usually under pressure.

“My wife and I felt it was an opportunity for us to help where we can,” said Rose, the 2013 US Open Champion – and gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

“We are therefore delighted to say that we will be supporting a mini-series for ladies to take place in June and July.

“This will comprise a number of one-day events at some of the top courses in England.

Justin Rose came through the same junior ranks in Hampshire as Liz Young

Justin: ‘Sky have agreed to televise Rose Ladies Series’

“The prize money will be modest, but we hope the series will give our talented lady golfers the opportunity to showcase their skills.

“Sky TV have agreed to provide a package for viewers and the Sunday Telegraph will ensure the events are well-reported.

“Needless to say, Kate and I are immensely grateful to the host clubs for making their courses available to us, and for the enthusiastic support of all those behind the scenes who make the tournaments run smoothly.

“Golf is a sport that is able to be played while socially distancing.

“And hopefully the TV coverage of the ladies competing can inspire more women and families in England to go out and play.

“It can be so beneficial for mental health to be out in the fresh air and get some space, especially in these challenging times.

“In particular, we are also grateful for the support and encouragement of the more established lady professional golfers for supporting this event.

“Through their participation they will encourage support for their sport and show the flame for ladies’ golf will not be easily extinguished.

“Golf has given me so much. As most of my followers know, I had my struggles early in my career, but at least I did not have to face a pandemic.

“I was still able to play. To be denied the opportunity to work or to play for months on end is very challenging, both physically and mentally.

“And that is why Kate and I feel it is so important that we want to try to do something about it.”

The LET is supporting the Rose Ladies Series and thanked Justin and Kate Rose for their incredibly generous support of women’s golf.

Rose with his support team at the 2016 Olympics. Picture by WARREN LITTLE / IGF

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Georgia Hall has entered this month’s Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open, which has been organised by fellow LET player Liz Young. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

WOMEN’S British Open winner Georgia Hall will make a short trip from her Dorset home to Brokenhurst Manor, when the New Forest club hosts its Women’s Open, later this month.

The new event – which has also attracted entries from LET winners Meghan MacLaren and Wentworth’s Annabel Dimmock – is the brain child of Brokenhurst pro Liz Young and club head pro Jason MacNiven.

Hall, who won her first Major two years ago at Royal Lytham, and the other LET stars are to take part in the behind-closed-doors event on June 18.

Young, who joined the LET in 2009 after a successful spell playing American college golf, said: “The aim is to find a way to put on a tournament for women’s professionals, so that we can be competitive again – and have the chance to earn a little money in these uncertain times

She is also very keen to to boost the profile of the women’s game and is hoping either the BBC or Sky Sports will cover the event, which has the unofficial backing of the Ladies European Tour.

“It is so important that women’s sport is visible,” Liz added. “There was controversy a few weeks ago over the first golf in the US being men’s only.

“Because golf is a sport that can be played safely now it is key that the women get exposure, too.”

Among the other players who have paid the £125 entry fee which will enable the organisers to offer a prize fund are Wales’ Amy Boulden and Gabriella Cowley, from Essex.

Liz Young who has organised the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Could Brokenhurst Open be on TV?

THE organisers believe the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open can help meet the lack of live sports for TV viewers to watch.

Most women’s team sports have seen their regular season in the UK curtailed, and the cricket season unable to start yet because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Young said: “I know people would love to watch live sport because there is so little. I would say to the likes of BBC and Sky that this a professional event with some big names, it is going to be good to watch.

“It would also be an opportunity for people who are new to women’s golf to see just how good our game is.

“That is why it would be amazing if we could get this on television.”

The event will adhere to government guidelines.

“Caddies must be from the same household as the player,”added Young, who has an advantage on that front as she is married to Jon Young, the former Hampshire county player, who has also been her regular caddy.

Liz said: “The great thing about this event is that you have a Major winner like Georgia, and then girls who have won multiple times on the LET – but anybody could win. That is what is great about golf.”

While not an officially sanctioned LET event, it is open to any female professionals in the UK, with Young keen to get as many female professionals involved as possible.

Brokenhurst Manor in the New Forest will stage its Women’s Open on June 18

LPGA planning return in July

THE LET and LPGA members who enter will get a chance to knock off some rust from their clubs before a return of the big two tours.

Both are still hopeful the AIG Women’s British Open will take place at Royal Troon, from August 20-23.

The other European women’s Major – the Evian Championship – has already been rescheduled to tee off at the Evian Resort on the French side of Lake Geneva, on August 6.

The Evian was moved back from July when the Women’s Olympic Golf tournament was cancelled.

The two tours having the two biggest events in Europe staged within three weeks will help the American-based LPGA players – and the best players from Asia – travel to the UK for the Women’s Open if there is a 14-day quarantine requirement.

The LET has so far called off three events in May, and two more in July, including events, in Belgium, Morocco, Spain, and Sweden.

And the two events which were planned before the original Evian date – the Dutch and Mediterranean Ladies Opens were also postponed.

The LPGA is now scheduled to return in the third week of July after the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational was withdrawn from the revised 2020 schedule, on May 15.

Revised LPGA 2020 schedule

Key: Major championships in bold

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Swedish teenager Julia Engström, who led after the first round of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, at Vipingo Ridge, courtesy of a five-under par 67. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

HAMPSHIRE’S Liz Young overcame a major scare before her tee time to emerge as the closest challenger to Swedish teenager Julia Engström, who made a strong start to the season-ending Magical Kenya Ladies Open.

Engström set the pace with a five-under par 67 at Vipingo Ridge, on Thursday, in the event that brings down the curtain on the 2019 Ladies European Tour season.

Meanwhile Young, who is in her 11^th year on the LET, produced five birdies and one bogey early in the tournament after a scary start to her day.

The Brokenhurst Manor member had the sort of experience I’m a Celebrity’s Kate Garraway and EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa have been having in the Australian jungle on ITV’s reality show, when she was confronted by a gaint spider in her hotel room in the early hours.

Young, who is looking for her first top 10 finish since becoming a mum three years ago, said: “At 5.30am, I walked into the bathroom and there was the biggest huntsman spider in the shower, terrifying me.

“My roommate (Eleanor Givens) was still asleep so I had to be quiet. She has informed me that it’s gone, but I really hope it’s gone down the drain and not into the bedroom.”

Young – who played in the 2016 Women’s British Open at Woburn while seven months’ pregnant – said it was so hot and sticky at 7am that she had to change her glove on the driving range.

However cloud cover moved in just before midday to ease conditions for 104-strong field.

Thirty-seven-year-old Young, from the New Forest, who turned pro in 2009 after playing in the 2008 Curtis Cup, for Great Britain and Ireland against the USA, at St Andrews, has had four top 20s in 2019.

She stands 32nd on this year’s money list having won €35,321 in 11 events.

Eighteen-year-old Julia Engström carded six birdies and a bogey on a sun-kissed opening day to lead by one shot.

Rookie Esther Henseleit, from Germany, who is also looking for a breakthrough victory, shot a 69 to rest alongside last year’s Jabra Ladies Open champion Astrid Vayson de Pradenne, from France.

America’s Cheyenne Woods was also in form and fired a two-under par 70 to claim outright fifth place.

Engström – last season’s Rookie of the Year – birdied the third and fourth holes and cruised to the turn in 34 – before adding another gain at the 11^th.

She hit a loose drive on the 13^th resulting in her sole bogey, but birdied the 14^th and 15^th to join Young in the lead.

Engström then knocked a delightful wedge to within nine feet of the target on 18, before making her final birdie putt.

“It was a combination of decent ball-striking and then being good around the greens,” said Julia Engström, who tied for fourth in last week’s Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España after a career-best round of 65 in Saturday’s third round.

“The wind started blowing from the fourth hole as a thunderstorm was coming in close by – and we could feel that. But it was nice to have some breeze because it was so hot.

“It’s always nice to have a few good tournaments and after last week, I tried to stay calm and not stress out too much.”

Henseleit, who is still in the running to end the season as European No 1 if she can record her maiden victory this weekend, also played in the morning, before the wind picked up.

She carded four birdies and a bogey to be six strokes better than the current LET Order of Merit leader, Marianne Skarpnord, who opened with a three-over par 75 to lie in equal 48^th position.

Vayson de Pradenne aims to copy Colsearts

THE stakes are equally high for Frenchwoman Astrid Vayson de Pradenne, who stood in 75^th place on the Order of Merit as the first Magical Kenya Ladies Open got under way.

She needs a strong finish to move into the top 70 and retain her LET card, but is looking at the bigger picture.

The qualified physiotherapist said: “I’m just trying to enjoy myself. I’m already blessed to be here.

“You look at the scenery around, you look at the sea. Kenya is a fantastic place and I’m just enjoying myself.

“I’m not thinking about trying to save the card, because I’m 34, I’ve got something going in my life other than golf. I’m golf passionate, but if I have to stop after this week, it’s fine.

“Of course I will be sad and frustrated, but I know it’s not going to be the end of my life.

“I know I have to do something this week. I met Nicolas Colsaerts in August and he told me how bad his season was and then he won the French Open.

“So with my coach, we said, ‘You never know, you might do a Colsaerts this week.’ If I don’t do a Colsaerts, I will at least try to play my best golf to try to secure my playing rights for next year.”

Meanwhile, a second tournament victory for Woods, the winner of the 2014 Volvik RACV Ladies Masters in Australia, would allow her to re-join the LET next year.

•Follow live scoring at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open by clicking here.

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Welllingboro’s Meghan MacLaren shared the first round lead in the Hero Women’s Indian Open, at Delhi’s DLF Golf and Country Club. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

WELLINGBORO’S Meghan MacLaren and Australian Whitney Hillier fired a pair of 67s to share the lead after a scorching opening round at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, as temperatures reached 35 degrees Centigrade, in Gurugram.

MacLaren was the first woman to post her total on the challenging Gary Player Course at DLF Golf and Country Club.

Starting at the 10^th tee at 6.45am, McClaren went out with four birdies in 32, before playing the front nine in 35, mixing four birdies with three bogeys.

Hillier, who started 10 minutes later, joined MacLaren at the summit after a bogey-free 67. She played the back nine in 34 and came in with 33 on the front nine.

MacLaren missed last year’s Indian Open – sponsored by the motorbike manufacturer, but tied for ninth in the 2017 event and feels it suits her strategic game.

The 25-year-old said afterwards: “I made a lot of birdies out there and felt really comfortable.

“I thought I was going to have a pretty low score but did a couple of stupid things. I can’t complain with where I am after round one.

“Conditions were perfect, actually. It’s not nice getting up at 4am or whatever.

“But whenever you’re first out and you’ve got an empty course in front of you, and really, really pure greens at that time of day, before it got sort of burning hot, it was nice and it was nice to take advantage of that, because it’s getting stickier and sticker.

MacLaren successfully defended the NSW Open title in March and recorded three additional top 10 finishes earlier this season, including second place in the Jordan Mixed Open and third in the Jabra Ladies Open.

The Golf Foundation Ambassador sits sixth on the order of merit and has the chance to top the ranking with a win on Sunday.

She added: “Today was only the first round and I got a little bit edgy and a little bit of butterflies, but I’ve missed that feeling.

“I haven’t had that for a while and when you’re in that situation, it’s not always nice – but it’s where you want to be.

“The alternative is that you’ve missed the cut or you’ve made the cut but you’re not playing for anything anymore, and it’s hard to bring out your best golf in those situations.

“I think it pushes you on and reminds you of why you do it,” added MacLaren

Hillier, meanwhile, is also in a rich vein of form and looking for her first tour win.

The 28-year-old from Perth, Australia, started with a bogey on the 10th having pulled her tee shot as a result of being slightly distracted by leaving her refillable water bottle in the washroom.

But she bounced back with three birdies in a row from the second. She then carded three birdies on the front nine, at the first, sixth and ninth holes to join MacLaren in a share of the lead.

Hillier said: “I made six birdies and I bogeyed the first hole, so I actually got that back pretty quickly. Overall I’m really happy with my performance. I hit my irons well and gave myself lots of birdie chances.

“The course is looking great, as well. Last time I was here it was 2015 and it has changed a lot since then.

“It is very, very impressive. It’s a beautiful golf course and one of the best in the world, I think.”

Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord and Hampshire’s Liz Young both played in the heat of the afternoon and are positioned just one stroke back on four-under, with Sweden’s Linda Wessberg in fifth on three-under.

Skarpnord, a winner at the Pacific Bay Australian Ladies Classic in February, needs to finish in the top three in India to lead the LET Order of Merit.

Skarpnord said: “I am pretty happy with my round. I played well on the front nine but didn’t make as many putts on the back nine.

“And then I finished up with a great three-putt, so my mood is not the best, but overall I’m happy with four-under.”

Brokenhurst Manor’s Liz Young during the first round. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Young is looking for her maiden tournament victory and has an excellent record in the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

The Brokenhurst Manor pro ended in fifth place in 2015 and has never finished outside the top 30 in six appearances so far.

Young said: “I hit it well. The last two weeks I’ve been playing well, but I haven’t putted well and I haven’t managed any less than 32 putts in a round.

“I have a local caddie here called Suresh and he’s always caddied for me. He does such a good job on the greens and I managed to get 28 putts today.

“I managed to put everything together– the long game and the short game.

“I do enjoy playing here because it’s a challenge. You have to think about every shot and there’s no let-up,” said the former Faldo Series winner, in a week when Rory McIlroy caused a storm by daring to suggest the European Tour’s courses were not set up as hard as they should be.

Young, who took time off to have a baby after marrying fellow Brokenhurst member Jon, and who both played for Hampshire as amateurs, added, “It’s a really good test of golf.

“And even when you’re on the greens, they are not easy, so it’s a challenging and demanding golf course.”

The shot of the day belonged to Jyotsana Singh, a rookie professional on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour in India, who aced the 16^th hole using her seven-iron.

•For live scoring in the Hero Women’s Indian Open click here.

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