Matthew recaptures Solheim magic
The Scot set Europe on the road to victory over the US here last September when she romped to a massive win over Paul Creamer in the opening singles.
She was the star of the show again yesterday when she went out in one over, before storming home in 30 blows to card a 67 and lead by a shot from Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg on five under.
Delighted with her red-hot finish, Matthew said: “It was very strange, actually. I played very steadily on the front nine and then just a silly three-putt on 18 for a bogey.
“I made a good par on the first and then had seven birdies on the next eight holes and one bogey so kind of a strange nine but I’ll take it. It’s always nice when you see the putts dropping in.”
Royal County Down’s Danielle McVeigh was the best of the Irish but she was left to rue three dropped shots in her last four holes as she shot a four-over 76.
Carlow’s Tara Delaney posted a 77 but 17-year old amateur Leona Maguire and Rebecca Codd crashed to eight-over 80s.
Leona said: “I drove the ball pretty well but I got unlucky a few times and you just can’t hit in from some of the spots I hit it in. Hopefully I can hole a few putts tomorrow.”
Leona’s twin sister Lisa found the course too long and slumped to a 13-over 85 before withdrawing with a wrist injury.
Defending champion Suzann Pettersen is just five shots off the pace after shooting a level-par 72 alongside Leona, but later admitted she missed the sensational atmosphere from last year’s Solheim Cup.
She said: “I kept looking for my team-mates out there! They weren’t there. It was a bit weird when I finished on nine, to walk from there to the 10th.
“A year ago it was packed and everyone was cheering you on and giving you a high five. The crowd was there but it wasn’t the same.”
Solheim Cup star Melissa Reid, who lost her mother in a car crash earlier this summer, tearfully withdrew for personal reasons after just eight holes.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
