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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Meghan MacLaren has turned from the queen of the greens to a wizard with words to help give the Ladies European Tour a new brand and image. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren and Suzann Pettersen have teamed up to help give the Ladies European Tour a fresh logo, updated website and tag line.

The Raise Our Game tagline aims to capture the ambition of the new LPGA-LET joint venture partnership – and a shared desire to keep moving women’s golf forward.

The brand refresh includes a short film created in-house, capturing the passion and potential of the LET players, celebrating their hard work, dedication and perseverance.

Narrated by Solheim Cup star Pettersen, with the script written by two-time LET winner MacLaren, it focuses on the hard work and determination it takes to achieve goals.

The pair hope to inspire women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf.

Talented writer MacLaren, who grew up playing golf at Wellingboro GC, in Northamptonshire, said: “I loved working on this project.

“It was great to play an active role in the new direction of our Tour.

“This is an exciting time for the LET and for women’s golf. To see the growth potential as we look ahead to the future for the next is very fulfilling.

“I’ve always worked hard to raise my game and I’m proud to be a member of a Tour which gives us the opportunity to raise our game further.”

Norwegian Suzann Pettersen narrated the video that launched the LET’s new look.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

‘It’s something we can’t define . . .’

MEGHAN’S script focuses on the fierce commitment required to compete at the highest level.

It also highlights the importance of the friends, family and wider community of tournament promoters and sponsors who can drive women’s golf forward, said the LET.

The script reads: “It starts with something we can’t define. 

“t’s a dream, but we’re too young to know what it is, where it might take us.

“Our family, coaches, friends… they know. On cold winter mornings and warm summer nights, they help us shape it into something we believe in.

“Sometimes we lose it. Sometimes we stop believing. Sometimes we wonder if it’s all really worth it… but we don’t stop.

“Because in every new city that embraces us and every new partner who invests in us, on every Monday that promises and every Thursday that threatens to take away – we have a chance to find it again.

“A chance to believe again. A chance to make each moment our own.

“But it’s yours too, because you’re there by our side, guiding the way. You helped create it.

“So it’s time to believe, in all of our dreams. Together, let’s raise our game.”

•Megan also wrote a first-person piece telling the story of how she raised her game. You can read it here.

Suzann Petersen holed the winning putt at last year’s Solheim Cup. Picture by MARK RUNNACLES

‘The LET made me’ says Solheim Cup star

PETTERSEN – who holed the winning putt at the 2019 Solheim Cup – said at the rebranding launch: “I wouldn’t be where I am without the LET.

“I’m excited about the next chapter of the Tour’s history as it looks to provide even more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

“I’m thrilled to narrate this inspirational video, re-branding the new LET. The future is bright for the LET and its members.”

The 39-year-old Norwegian won 15 times on the LPGA Tour – including two Majors – and another six times on the LET.

After securing the Solheim Cup with that putt at Gleneagles, she promptly announced her retirement to focus on bringing up her son.

But the Scandinavian, who won the British Girls’ title at Wiltshire’s High Post GC in 1999, and played two Junior Ryder Cup matches, is not relinquisihing all ties with the LET just yet.

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas (left) with LPGA commissioner Mike Whan after her appointment – two months after the two Tours signed a joint venture deal. Picture by LPGA.

Future’s bright for LET says chief executive Armas

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas believes the tour has a bright future despite the uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “This brand refresh expresses our excitement about the LET and its future.

“How passionate and proud we all are to represent this strong new brand and that we are in this journey together with our partners – determined to create greater opportunities for the women who play golf today, and for the ones that will follow in the future.

“It has been an unprecedented and eventful start to the new decade.

“In January, we announced a record-breaking schedule and we were extremely excited about the 2020 season.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been a challenging time for us of late. But we are now focused on the long term.

“This is not only the time to preserve tournaments in 202 – but to build the future that we’re so excited about moving forward for women’s golf.

“The year 2020 is a building block to a bigger and better 2021, 2022 and beyond. Together, let’s do all we can to raise our game.”

The joint agreement between the LET and LPGA was signed in November.

As a result, it paved the way for this year’s expanded playing schedule, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide.

Armas was appointed in January in week the 2020 schedule was released.

Meghan MacLaren has won twice on the LET. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

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Woburn’s Charley Hull tied with Brokenhurst Women’s Open founder Liz Young – but won the play-off to become the first Rose Ladies Series winner. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

CHARLEY Hull won the first Rose Ladies Series Event in some style.

The Woburn ace defeated Hampshire heroine Liz Young with a birdie on the first extra hole at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club, in the New Forest.

Spectators weren’t allowed inside the venue due to government social distancing guidelines.

But they would have been treated to a fantastic tournament and a thrilling finale which went to a play-off.

Both players carded level par rounds of 70 in overcast and windy conditions.

Young, who organised the event at her home club, played in the first group out and set the clubhouse target.

But she waited for three-and-a-half hours before Hull matched her score.

World No. 25 Hull was two strokes clear with two holes to play and looked to have the £5,000 winner’s cheque tucked in her back pocket.

But the Solheim Cup winner double bogeyed the par-four 17^th hole, after hitting a rescue wood off-line right into a ditch from the tee.

She had a chance to birdie the 18^th to win in regulation play but missed the putt on the hole.

The 18th is driveable when the county’s leading amateur players contest the Mike Smith Memorial Open, which was won by Hampshire junior Justin Rose, back in 1996.

After pitching on to the green, Hull took her chance at the first extra hole, rolling in a similar putt from 12 feet beyond the hole.

Charley Hull, from Woburn, receives her £5,000 cheque and a rose bowl from joint sponsor Kate Rose, wife of reigning Olympic Golf champion Justin. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Charley’s been to Hull and back getting ready for return of LPGA

THE new champion was presented with a rose bowl and winner’s cheque for £5,000 by Kate Rose, wife of PGA Tour star Justin, who together, reportedly sponsored the series to the tune of £35,000.

That sum was believed to have been matched by sponsors American Golf enabling the Brokenhurst event to be rolled out into a series of eight tournaments in the next two months.

Hull hadn’t played a competitive round in almost five months – in fact since the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio, in Florida, in January.

Charley said: “I’m just so happy to be playing professional golf again and have a scorecard in my hand.

“The golf course was in great condition and it was my first time round here today.

“I was quite happy with my score. I doubled the 17^th because I  took a wrong line off the tee. But it was just great to be playing.

“I’ve missed it loads. I love playing golf. I’m pretty much golfed out because I’ve been playing every day. But I can’t wait to get back out on tour.

“I want to thank Justin and Kate Rose for putting these events on.

“You need to be playing to get back in the mindset. I’ve been playing a lot for the last few weeks and I played eight days on the trot.

“But it’s not the same as having a scorecard in your hand. I’ll go back to America in four weeks’ time, so hopefully this will get my brain back into tournament golf.”

Hull said she had never seen the course before but described the Harry Colt classic as a “hidden gem.”

Ex-amateur champs: Play-off rivals

HULL and Young – who was Liz Bennett as an amateur – are both past English Women’s Amateur Champions.

Young, the World No. 503, was pleased with finishing second, especially as she hadn’t played a competitive round in more than six months.

“I was excited and really nervous,” said Young, who last played at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in December.

“It has been a long time since a card was in the hand. I was playing on my own course, so had the home advantage.

“But I also know where all the trouble is. I was really happy with how I played and level par, because it was playing tough out there.

“I was playing well in practise and I just hadn’t put much time in on the course.

“It’s all coming together and I’m just excited that I’ve got another seven tournaments in which to play.

“This is the start of something great for UK golf and hopefully this will continue.”

Essex’s Gabriella Cowley finished third on 71, with Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke in fourth a further shot back.

Holly Calvert and Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson – who won the Investec South African Women’s Open champion on her first start as a Ladies European Tour rookie – tied for fifth.

Liz Young with her husband and caddy Jon having seen the dream of creating the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open to help LET players get back into tournament golf.
Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Wentworth to stage final round of Grand Final

THERE will be a Rose Ladies Series Event played on Thursday each week, in June and July, leading up to the Grand Final on August 6-7.

The opening round will be played at The Berkshire, in Ascot, with the final round to be hosted on the famous West Course at Wentworth.

With Justin Rose’s management team Excel Sports teaming up with Young to put on the series, the England Golf ambassador was able to invite three of the country’s leading amateurs to play.

ROSE LADIES SERIES
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
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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Lottie Woad is one of three amateurs to get an invite to the Brokenhurst Manor Women’s Open – the first of the new Rose Ladies Series. Picture by LEADERBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY

SURREY Ladies Amateur Champion Lottie Woad says it will be a thrill to kick-start her 2020 season competing alongside many of her golf idols in the first event of the Rose Ladies Series.

The England Girls’ squad player is one of three amateurs taking part in Thursday’s 18-hole professional event at the New Forest’s Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club.

England Golf ambassador Justin Rose and his wife Kate are sponsoring eight such events between now and August.

England women’s squad player Mimi Rhodes – winner of last year’s Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in Portugal – has also been invited to the star-studded tournament.

Under 16 international Louise Burke, from Dorset, is the third England Golf representative in the field of 51 players.

It is the first post-lockdown event for players earning a living on the Ladies’ European Tour.

It’s an exciting return to action for the women’s game. Stars such as Woburn’s Charley Hull, Northamptonshire’s LET winner Meg Maclaren, and LET rookie Alice Hewson are heading to Hampshire.

Rose – the 2013 US Open winner and reigning Olympic champion – has sponsored the seven-event series and grand final with backing from retail outlet American Golf.

Lottie Woad (left) on England U16 duty last summer with Louise Burke (second from right), from Dorset, who is also in the field at Brokenhurst Manor

Woad working hard in her garden

WOAD has spent the past few months practising solidly in her garden at Her Farnham home.

And she is eagerly anticipating the day when she can return to competitive golf.

The fact that her comeback is in such a landmark event just makes the prospect even more exciting for the 16-year-old.

“It’s my first ever pro event and my first competition of the year,” said Woad, who became the youngest to land the Surrey crown, in April 2019, aged just 15

“I’ve not played an event since October when England took on Ireland at Hunstanton.

“I read on Twitter that these ladies’ events were starting up. I got in contact with the organiser – LET player Liz Young – to ask about amateurs being involved.

“Then Justin Rose came on board as a sponsor, and last Thursday I heard I was one of three amateur invites.

“It’s a brilliant way to start the season. I found out on Monday that I was paired with Meg MacLaren, which is really exciting.

“Meg was speaking to England players during an online session a few weeks ago. It was great fun and very helpful. So I’m looking forward to getting the chance to now play with her.”

Practice round will help Lottie with nerves

Lottie Woad has won both the Surrey Girls and Ladies titles

THERE may be some butterflies on the first tee for the England trio.

But Lottie Woad is just eager to get back on the course with a scorecard in her hand.

“I won’t overthink things and just try to play my own game – and not get caught up in the event itself,” added Woad, who will have dad Nick on the bag.

“I was down at Brokenhurst at the weekend to play a practice round. It’s less than an hour’s drive from where I live so really easy to get to.

“It’s a beautiful course and we even had a herd of deer join us on one of the holes.

“I feel my golf is in good shape as I’ve spent most of lockdown practising,” added Lottie, who won the Surrey Girls’ crown in 2018.

“My GCSE exams were cancelled, but fortunately I had good mocks to fall back on,” said Lottie, who added the Surrey Ladies’ title last spring.

“I was playing at Farnham Golf Club the first day golf was allowed back and birdied the first hole and shot two-under which was a good start.”

WOAD also made a splash on Twitter during lockdown with regular posts of her attempting a flop shot in her back garden.

Her exploits, picked up by the LET, Sky and The R&A, show off skills that Rose himself would be proud of.

“If I need to hit a flop shot then I should be ok,” joked Woad.

“I started hitting over a fence, then progressed to hit over a netball stand into a bowl.

“There’s no grass left in that bit of the garden now,” said Lottie.

The teenager shaved three years off the Surrey Ladies’ County Championship record once held by Dame Laura Davies.

The most successful British player in LET history is also down to play at Brokenhurst Manor.

After the Brokenhurst Manor event, the series moves to the following venues:–
June 25: Moor Park Golf Club
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)

Sky Sports will provide TV coverage – check England Golf on Twitter for updates of Lottie’s progress.

Justin Rose – the 2013 US Open winner and the 2016 Olympic Champion – who has sponsored the series of women’s events in the UK with his wife Kate

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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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THE LET’s Meghan MacLaren has backed ground-breaking plans to stage the English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships simultaneously at Woodhall Spa in July.

The 25-year-old, who came through the England ranks as an amateur, has called for greater equality in prize money in the pro ranks.

She believes England Golf’s plan is another innovative step forward for golf.

McLaren went close to the first European Tour event that saw LET players compete head to head with Challenge and Staysure Tour members just over a year ago in the Jordan Mixed Open.

Dutchman Daan Huizing with the Jordan Mixed Open trophy. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Having won the Women’s New South Wales Open for the second year in a row in March 2019, she finished second behind Daan Huizing, the winner of the St Andrews Links and Lytham Trophy as an amateur, in 2012, a month later.

Golf Foundation ambassador McLaren became the latest golfer to give up time to impart her knowledge of the game to England Golf’s national squads via an online Q&A session.

MacLaren looked back fondly on her amateur career with England and her time at Florida International University, where she won eight times.

In 2016, MacLaren was crowned European champion with England’s women’s amateur team  – the same year she helped GB&I to win the Curtis Cup.

MacLaren won LET Access Series

Meghan earned her tour card on the Ladies European Tour after winning the LET Access Series Order of Merit in 2017, having also won the last event of the 2016 season having turned pro in the autumn.

As a pro, MacLaren has won twice on the LET and has earned praise for her thought-provoking blogs about life on tour and her championing of the women’s game.

England Golf’s announcement last week that the staging of both the men’s and women’s amateur championship had been provisionally re-scheduled for the last week in July at the same venue has created a buzz.

MacLaren has been a strong advocate of equality in the game and hopes the coronavirus situation has eased by then to allow the events to take place side-by-side as planned.

“It might only be because of circumstances, but it’s a brilliant opportunity to see how it works going forward,” admitted the Wellingboro GC member, whose father is head of the Staysure Tour.

“There are a couple of events like that on the pro circuit – the Vic Open in Australia is the main one. It’s two separate events for men and women, but staged at the same time.

“I think it’s cool that it could be considered normal,” said Meghan, who has been brought up in a golfing family that cares passionately about the game at all levels.

“Men’s and women’s golf is different, but it doesn’t have to be different in terms of opportunities or prize funds at the pro level, or levels of talent.

“It’s just golf being played by different genders – and the earlier that becomes normal the better it is for the game as a whole,” she added.

Wellingboro Golf Club’s Meghan MacLaren – 2019 New South Wales Open champion after successfully defending her title. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Curtis Cup winner opens up about life on tour

MacLAREN’S talk with the class of 2020 provided more than an hour’s worth of insight into her career, her development and her hopes for the future.

As with previous guests, Matt Wallace and Matt Fitzpatrick, the questions flooded in and MacLaren was only too happy to give a little back to the organisation that gave her so much in her amateur career.

The former Wee Wonders winner added: “All the squads are in great hands with the coaches at their disposal.

“But sometimes it’s different to hear things from a player who has previously been in squads.

“A player might go through the emotion of not being picked for a team – or not knowing if they are good enough to get on tour – or not knowing how they stand in relation to the best players in the world.

“It can even be something as simple as being told it’s ok not to practice for a couple of days if you’re working on mental or physical things.

“Now this seems to me like common sense, but when I look back there was a lot that I didn’t know.

“I questioned a lot of things, but I didn’t really know where to find the answers.”

Wee Wonders ace still keeps tabs on amateur game

MacLaren still keeps tabs on the amateur game and in January caught up with Yorkshire’s Charlotte Heath in Australia.

Heath had qualified for the Vic Open after winning the Australian Women’s Amateur, and the English contingent of Felicity Johnson, from the Midlands, Hertfordshire’s Hannah Burke, MacLaren and Heath enjoyed a rare photo opportunity.

“We were all on the putting green one day and it was cool to see different groups from England Golf coming together at an event like that,” said MacLaren.

“Charlotte did really well – I think out of the four of us she was the only one that made the cut. We had to learn from her.

“I still look at the amateur ranks and while I don’t know someone like Lily May Humphreys, I’ve seen how successful she has been and it’s intriguing for me to see what happens next.

“I loved my England days and still miss the input of being in a team environment – talking to coaches, players and practising together.

“You gain a lot from that and you only realise how much when it’s not there.”

• Masters Champion Danny Willett, the 2017 European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood, Ryder Cup player Chris Wood and Solheim Cup stars Mel Reid and Bronte Law have all volunteered to pass on their wit, wisdom and experience to England squad members in online webinars over the coming weeks.

R-L: Ex-England amateurs Felicity Johnson, Hannah Burke, Meghan MacLaren and Australian Women’s Amateur winner Charlotte Heath, from Yorkshire, at the Vic Open in February

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Meghan MacLaren in action at last week’s Australian Ladies Masters at Bonville Golf Resort. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren is looking to join some exclusive company in the Women’s NSW Open at Dubbo Golf Club.

In her lifetime, only three players have won the same Ladies European Tour event three times in a row.

Karrie Webb did it at the ANZ Ladies Masters. Annika Sorenstam did it in the Swedish Open and Shanshan Feng won three in a row at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, from 2014-16.

Northamptonshire’s MacLaren will get the chance this week – and with the distinction of it being on a third different golf course.

She won her first LET title at Coffs Harbour Golf Club in 2018 and defended the title last year at Queanbeyan Golf Club – as the only player to record four sub-par rounds, to win her second title.

MacLaren doesn’t expect it to get any easier at Dubbo, but feels her accuracy off the tee could be an advantage on the tight, tree-lined fairways.

“I think that everyone’s fairway stats might take a dip this week, but from what I’ve seen, it suits the strengths of my game,” said the 25-year-old from Wellingboro, who finished tied for 24th in last week’s Geoff King Motors Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville.

MacLaren added: “You need to hit it on as many fairways as you can because it’s so narrow. If you can put it in position, then you’ll be ahead of the game, I think.

“I played well last week, apart from in the last round. I saw some signs in the first three rounds that I’ve been looking for since I came out to Australia and I feel in a pretty good place now.

“I trust in my game and I trust what I’m doing. I feel like my putting has turned a corner and I got a new putter just over a week ago.”

“As a golfer, you have to treat it as just another golf tournament and prepare as well as you can to bring your best golf.

“There probably won’t be too many times in my career that I’ll have a chance to go for three in a row. So I’m just going to enjoy it and see what happens.”

Australian Ladies Classic winner Stephanie Kyriacou has turned pro after her eight-shot win at Bonville Golf Resort on Sunday. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

Kyriacou turns pro after victory

TEEN star Steph Kyriacou has turned professional and joined the Ladies European Tour ahead of this week’s Women’s New South Wales Open at Dubbo Golf Club.

The 19-year-old from Sydney earned a two-year exemption on the LET with her stunning victory in the Geoff King Motors Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville Golf Resort, on Sunday.

Kyriacou blitzed the field to win by eight strokes. She has since climbed 547 spots on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, moving up to No. 287, which gives her additional confidence heading into this week’s event.

“I’m so happy to announce that I’m turning professional,” said Kyriacou, whose father Nick was on the bag for her big win – and who has guided her through the tough decisions that were made on Monday as the enormity of the victory sank in.

“I’ll be playing my first event as a pro this week in Dubbo, so it’s very exciting,” added Kyriacou.

“It’s been very, very crazy. I’ve had so many messages and missed phone calls. I’ve had emails from I don’t even know whom.

“I’ve had all these big decisions to make and everything has happened so quickly.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to make. I did weigh up all the options but I was hoping to turn pro at the end of the year anyway – and this has opened up a few more doors and moved the goal post a bit.”

•To follow live scoring in the Women’s New South Wales Open click here.

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Meghan MacLaren is hoping to improve on her record in the Lalla Meryem Cup at Moroccos Royal Golf Dar Es Salam this week. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren is looking to build on her recent strong performances in Australia and Jordan as she sets her sights firmly on the Lalla Meryem Cup this week.

A victory in the Moroccan capital of Rabat would see her take the lead in the race to be crowned European No. 1 and leapfrog Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda into second place on the European Solheim Cup points list, boosting her chances of a debut appearance for Team Europe at Gleneagles in September.

The 24-year-old from Northamptonshire tied for 25th and 30th in the last two editions of the Lalla Meryem Cup respectively and is determined to do better this time round over the newly renovated Blue Course.

Having won the Access Series Order of Merit in 2017, she feels that winning the LET Order of Merit is now a realistic goal arriving at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in second position on the money list after her victory in the Women’s New South Wales Open and runner-up finish in the Jordan Mixed Open.

Meghan said: “I’ll always be aiming for the top. Everything I do is about being the best I can be, and I think I get my best results when I’m completely focused on that.

“I had that approach in 2017 and it’s something I wanted to go back to coming into this year, without getting distracted by outcome goals or trying too hard.

“As long as I focus on the little things that make up my game and always recognise what’s going well and what I can improve, I think I can continue progressing in my own way. I do think consistency is one of the most underrated things in golf and winning Order of Merits is probably the best representation of that.”

The runner-up in the Jordan Mixed Open, where she took on the best of the European Challenge and Seniors tours,  added: “I’m really happy with where my game is right now.

“I think the consistency of my scores and results shows that there isn’t too much going wrong, and I feel much better equipped to manage both my swing when I’m competing and also my game on the course even if it doesn’t feel perfect. I’m hitting a lot more greens than I was last year which has been key to bringing my scoring down.

“This will be my third time at this course, so I’ve got a good sense for the things that will be important. It’s a much more strategic course than most, which I really like.

“It’s so important to keep the ball on the fairway, so feeling comfortable with my shot shape off the tee has been a big one. My driving was great in Jordan so if I can keep that going it’ll be a massive help. I’ve done quite a bit of practice with my pitching as well because you have wedge in your hands quite a bit round here.”

MacLaren is expecting a big challenge from some of the other players in the field, such as the 2018 and 2016 champions, Jenny Haglund and Nuria Iturrios, as well as recent tournament winners Marianne Skarpnord and Diksha Dagar.

The Lalla Meryem Cup and the Hassan II Golf Trophy, a men’s European Tour event, are co-located at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam and the two tournaments are being played over the Blue and Red Courses respectively for the fourth consecutive year, which means the players share a lounge and practise facilities.

MacLaren said: “It’s a really cool experience. Even in the few years I’ve played this event, it’s grown and strengthened massively – they’ve really put a lot of thought and investment into the facilities and tournament as a whole – which is reflected in the players that turn up.

“Anytime the men and women are in the same environment it creates a different kind of buzz for the players, because I think there’s a lot of mutual respect and also enjoyment that we’re all connected by creating a living through the game of golf. It’s definitely one to which we all look forward.

“It’s another great platform for the game of golf as a whole, I think. The more opportunities there are for women’s golf to raise its profile, the more I think investment and interest in it will grow, as people begin to see the skill and character on display every week.

“The Jordan Mixed Open was obviously different in its innovation – the first time men and women have competed for the same tournament in the professional game is bound to draw interest, and I think the success of that event will encourage more events like it.

“I’ll be honest, 72-hole strokeplay events will always be my favourite! I think they are the best reflection of what golf is all about: the skill, patience and grit required to come out on top is such a huge demand, and an addictive one.

“But I would like to see more events that bring men and women together, because I think it’s incredibly engaging to the wider golfing public.

“The Jordan event showed that coming down the stretch it doesn’t matter what the person looks like, at the end of the day, it’s one person’s golf against another person’s golf. Golf as a sport is so unique in that sense, so I’d love to see it taken advantage of more.”

And she knows that more performances like her second win in Australia, and competing against the men, will do her Solheim Cup ambitions no harm.

Her performance earlier this month caught the eye of European captain, Catriona Matthew, who sent her a text message after the final round in Jordan.

Meghan, who has had three three top 10s in six starts this season, revealed recently: “Just the fact I got a text from her is pretty inspiring really. It’s obviously nice to know I’m on the radar and it will only make me work harder over the next few months.”

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Wellingboro Golf Club’s Meghan Maclaren in the third round of Jordan Mixed Open, at Ayla Golf Club. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

MEGHAN MacLaren could not produce her second win in a month – and more importantly this time against a field of men – as she lost out to Holland’s Daan Huizing in the ground-breaking Jordan Mixed Open, on Saturday.

Having been an outspoken critic of the disparities in prize money between men and women’s golf in the build-up to the event, the Wellingboro GC member was proud of her display as she missed out by a couple of shots.

Meghan, who led the unique 54-hole format tournament by two shots going into the last day, said: “I’m obviously pretty disappointed not to win this week, having been in such a good position.

“But it was still an honour to be here and represent women’s golf alongside two other great tours. It was pretty tight coming down the last few holes, so I think it was great entertainment for everybody watching.

“It was a great concept but none of us really knew how it would pan out. The way the scores panned out throughout the week showed that it absolutely can work with the right thought process and course set-up if people do the research.

“Female golfers have done ourselves proud this week and it’s been a great environment to be in with all three tours. It’s been an honour to be here and it was a great concept and one that I hope can catch on in the future.

“The research that went into it played out with the scores because it was pretty comparable across the three tours, so I’d like to see it happen more often. I think they did a great job considering that it was the first time that something has been done like this – and I think that’s a great sign for the future.”

“In some ways, it felt like just another tournament, trying to get the best score possible at the end of the week. It’s definitely interesting to have different golfers alongside us.

“There are things that the guys can do and we can’t but there are things that the girls do better than the men as well. It was definitely interesting and something that could happen more often.

“It’s not so much frustration as disappointment. It hurts, but that’s golf sometimes. Golf happened. I missed a couple of putts, which doesn’t help and hit a couple of bad shots at bad times.

“You can’t afford to do things like that. It can change so quickly and everyone who plays golf knows that.

“It hurts to not win, but I know, when I get home and think about it, I’ll be proud of what I’ve done this week and I hope that I’ve represented the LET and women’s golf in general as well as possible.

“It deserves a bit of a spotlight and if this kicks things up a bit, then I’m proud of what’s happened.”

Jordan Mixed Open declared a success by Higginbottom

Tournament director Simon Higginbottom believes the experiment of having a third of the field from the LET, the European Challenge Tour and the Staysure Seniors Tour, playing off different tees to match up their games, had been a total success.

He said: “When something has never been done before it is difficult to know how it will play out. Before the tournament began, we had the ability to analyse average stroke distances for all categories of players.

“But matching that to the course architecture and set up on this course, this week, to create the fairest possible playing field for all competitors, was our main challenge.

“We had incredible support from all of the players in the field, who allowed us to collect invaluable data from this week, which we can scrutinise in future weeks to get an even clearer picture of how this can be done again.”

The chairman of Ayla Golf Club, Khaled Masri, was also a happy man after the ground-breaking tournament.

He said: “We are really pleased with the great success the Jordan Mixed Open by Ayla has achieved.

“This first-of-its-kind international golf tournament has attracted many golf enthusiasts from around the globe, effectively placing Jordan on the map of major golf events internationally.

“We hope to maintain this growing trend and will continue to welcome new global and regional championships to our world-class golf course.”

•For the full results in the Jordan Mixed Open click here.

Dutchman Daan Huizing with the Jordan Mixed Open trophy. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

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Challenge Tour winner Daan Huizing who held off Ladies European Tour star Meghan MacLaren to claim the first-ever Jordan Mixed Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

DAAN Huizing made golfing history by becoming the first player to win a full-field mixed professional tournament with his triumph at the Jordan Mixed Open.

The Dutchman began the final round at Ayla Golf Club two shots behind overnight leader Meghan MacLaren, who opened the world-first tournament with consecutive rounds of 65 to get to 14-under par.

MacLaren started the final day strong, carding two birdies on her first three holes, but Huizing was able to slowly chip away at the Englishwoman’s lead, and by the time the two golfers reached the 13th tee, they were deadlocked on 14 under par.

The stage was set for a never-before-seen battle down the stretch between a male and female golfer competing for the same first prize.

In the end, it was Huizing who came out on top as he converted three crucial birdies on the closing holes and signed for a four under par 68, which gave him a two-stroke victory.

The win was an emotional one for the 28-year-old, who admitted it was a tough off-season after he narrowly missed out on a European Tour card at last year’s Challenge Tour Grand Final.

“I’m buzzing. It’s a big moment for me. I’ve had a rough time at home recently so this is a really sweet way to prove to myself that I’ve got it. The belief in myself and the people around me, my team and my family, I’m really grateful for their support. I’m honoured. I think it’s an historic event.

The Dutchman who won twice in his first season on the Challenge Tour in 2013, said: “To be the inaugural winner — it’s a special moment. I think it’s a great initiative.

“It was great fun playing in a final group with a Challenge Tour player, a senior tour player and a lady player. It was a great battle.

“It’s a different vibe and very special to be the first winner and I hope it’s something that can be continued in the future.

“I went into the day with a pretty open mind and I knew it was going to take a low round, someone was going to shoot low today. I had a pretty rough start and lipped out a couple of putts for birdie and holed a couple of good ones for par on two and three.

“It wasn’t easy and I didn’t play great. I had a few loose ones to the right yesterday and today again, but I battled really well.

“Mentally I was in really good shape and that’s what got me through. I stuck to my processes, stayed patient and Meghan was playing really, really well.

“She holed a couple of big putts on the front nine but left the door open for me on 10 and 11 and I answered with two really good birdies on 12 and 13.

“The buzz and tension down the stretch was great. It was a fight and it wasn’t pretty at times, but it was a great experience and really valuable going forwards as well.

“There are a huge amount of positives that I can take from this,” added the player who claimed the presitigious Lytham and St Andrews Links trophies in his last season as an amateur in 2012, a rare feat in itself.

MacLaren finished the Jordan Mixed Open alone in second place — two shots clear of Martin Simonsen, who matched the Ayla Golf Club course record with a final round of 64, which moved him 17 places up the leaderboard and into third place.

Forty players from each of the European Challenge Tour, the Staysure Tour and the Ladies European Tour, plus three amateurs, made up the 123-player field and will forever be remembered as a game-changing tournament.

The final grouping comprised of one player from each of the three Tours, and of the 66 players that made the cut, 20 represented the Ladies European Tour, 21 were from the Staysure Tour and 25 were from the Challenge Tour.

In addition, the back nine battle for the win between MacLaren and Huizing created tense drama all the way to the end.

Players from all three Tours were represented in the top five. The best performer from the over-50s contingent was José Coceres of Argentina who finished in a tie for fourth place alongside Challenge Tour players Jack Senior and Oliver Farr.

Thorough research was performed by tournament officials before the event began.

Data on driving distance, approach shot distance, club selection and scoring was collected after each round, and will provide crucial findings to all three tours.

The low-amateur competitor, Emilie Paltrinieri of Italy, carded rounds of 70, 74, 73 to finish the tournament on one-over.

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