Hjorth leads Open but Irish stars hot in the hunt

SWEDEN’S Maria Hjorth, who included an eagle at the 12th and shot four birdies in a splendid five under par round of 67, is the leader after yesterday’s first round of the AIB Irish Women’s Open Championship at Killeen Castle, Co Meath.

She finished one ahead of England’s Melissa Reid with Scotland’s Carly Booth and the brilliant Korean In-Kyung Kim among a group of six on 69.

However, there was also much for Irish fans to enthuse over, with Rebecca Coakley dipping below par with a 71 while the skill and fighting qualities of the remarkable 15 year-old Maguire twins from Cavan, Leon and Lisa, were again apparent. Both shot rounds of even par 72 to tie for 25th and are ideally placed to join the top 60 and ties after today’s second round who go forward to the final round tomorrow.