Walshe’s home rule

GALWAY girl Alison Walshe may lead the way in Meath but she’s playing under an American flag and won’t be back at Killeen Castle for the Solheim Cup next month.

The 26-year-old emigrated to the States with her family when she was just six but played this event last year as an Irish golfer.

A €20,000 grant from the Sports Council was then returned when Walshe went back to being American and blew her chance of representing Europe in the 2011 Solheim Cup.

Relations from Dublin were on course yesterday to see her shoot a six-under-par 66, the second lowest of her professional career, to share the first round lead with French girl Anne-Lise Caudal.

“I’m really happy. I’ve been playing fairly well of late and my expectations are good this week,” said Walshe, whose career earnings in the US only total €26,000, almost €20,000 of that coming this year on the main LPGA Tour in America where she has missed five cuts in seven starts.

“I was born in Galway and have family all over. My aunt and uncle and grandma live in Malahide and they are here this week.”

The 16-year-old Maguire twins again led the real Irish effort with Lisa returning a one-under-par 71 and Leona battling her way to one over thanks to consecutive birdies on her last three holes.

“I hit a couple of bad shots on my front nine and got punished but if I can play like I did on the back nine in the second round then I should be all right,” said Leona.

Lisa enjoyed the benefits of Tour bagman Colin Byrne by her side yesterday.

“He knows the right things to say at the right time and it was a big help to have him with me,” said Lisa. “It will help me if I take even some of the advice he has given me this week into the rest of this season and into next.”

The respect was mutual. “Lisa has an excellent short game, she hit some very good shots out there today,” said Byrne, who has worked with Retief Goosen amongst others.

American teenager Lexi Thompson also flew the flag for youth when she came home in two under par ahead of Solheim Cup stars Stacey Lewis, on level par, and Christina Kim, plus one.

Reigning champion Sophie Gustafson is one of a number of players in the pack at three under, two shots ahead of world number three Suzann Petersen.

Carlow’s Rebecca Codd is best of the Irish professionals on two over, with Martina Gillen and Tara Delaney both on four over.

Ulster’s Danielle McVeigh’s first round in the paid ranks ended with a disappointing six-over-par 78 while Hazel Kavanagh returned an 11-over-par 83.

Picture: FAIRYTALE SEASON: Large crowds following the group of Ireland’s Leona Maguire and Alexis Thompson and Stacy Lewis of America during the Ladies Irish Open at Killeen Castle, Co Meath yesterday. Picture: Inpho