Mehaffey bids to retain Irish Girls Open title

Irish Girls Open champion Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co. Down Ladies) defends her title at Roganstown Golf and Country Club this weekend.

The event, an International Open Championship for girls aged under 18 on January 1, 2014, has attracted the cream of Europe’s underage talent as players vie for world amateur golf ranking points.

Mehaffey (16) is hot favourite to retain her crown, having impressed on her Ladies European Tour debut in the Lalla Meryem Cup at Golf de L’Ocean in Agadir, Morocco last month, finishing a credible 47th.

Mary Doyle (The Heath) could prove her biggest domestic threat, given her recent good showing in both the Portuguese and Spanish Championships. Some of the top underage talent from Germany, Scotland, Sweden and England are set to compete.