BILLIE-JO SMITH LEADS WOMEN’S IRISH CHALLENGE

England’s Billie-Jo Smith shot a three-under 69 to lead the Women’s Irish Challenge after Wednesday’s first round at Malahide Golf Club.

The 27-year-old holds a one-shot advantage over six players — Slovakia’s Michaela Vavrova, French trio Lauren Holmey, Anne-Charlotte Mora (defending champion) and amateur Alice Kong and Northern Ireland’s Olivia Mehaffey (all 70) — who all shot two-under.

Smith got off to the best possible start with birdies on holes 2 and 3 before dropping in an eagle on the par-5 6th to go four-under through her opening six holes. She then bogeyed holes 8 and 10, before moving back to three-under with a birdie on hole 12. Despite another bogey on the very next hole, Smith finished strong by making her fourth birdie of the day on hole 15.

The rest of the Irish finished round one as follows: Canice Screene 72, Beth Coulter had a solid start to her opening round as a professional with a 2-over-par 74, Annabel Wilson 78, Olivia Hunt 78, Aoife Kelly (Amateur) 78 and Amy Mangan 80.

Round 2 of the Women’s Irish Challenge resumes at 8.15am (local time). There will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties at the end of the day.

Photo: Billie-Jo Smith (Credit: LET Access Series).