Twin-track assault on Open still on cards

THE Maguire twins returned to their normal impressive form yesterday to progress comfortably into the knock-out phase of the British Ladies Open Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush.

They spearheaded the home challenge on a day when conditions were suitable for low scoring — eight Irish players in all live to fight another day.

Lisa Maguire shot a two under par 72 to add to her opening 75 after finishing with a bogey six and she ended up just one stroke better than twin Leona who improved by eight strokes on her first day display.

She reached the turn in a marvellous four under par 33 with three birdies on the bounce from the second and another at the eighth. She came home in level par 37 after an up and down nine holes.

Danielle McVeigh, the 2009 British Ladies strokeplay champion from Royal County Down also ended on the 148 mark while the home club had plenty to cheer about as both Stephanie Meadow and Charlene Reid, members of Royal Portrush qualified.

Deirdre Smith from County Louth, Bangor’s Victori Bradshaw and Emma O’Driscoll of Ballybunion also made it through.

O’Driscoll squeezed through on the cut off mark, courtesy of her second round 75 but Louise Coffey narrowly failed after a 76 yesterday.

Leading the 64 qualifiers on 140 was Spaniard Camilla Hedberg.

Irish Qualifiers : 147 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell) 75,72; 148 Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell) 78,70, D McVeigh (Royal Co Down) 72,76; 150 S Meadow (Royal Portrush) 74,76; 153 C Reid (Royal Portrush) 76,77; 154 D Smith (Co Louth) 78,76; 155 V Bradshaw (Bangor) 76,79; 157 E O’Driscoll (Ballybunnion) 82,75.

Irish Non-qualifiers: 157 L Coffey (Malone) 81,76; 161 G O’Leary (Cork)80,80; 163 H Jones (Strabane) 84,79; 165 T Gribben (Warrenpoint) 88,87.