Sara Byrne through to last-32 of Women’s Amateur Championship at Portmarnock

LAST 32: Sara Byrne is into the last 32 of the Women's Amateur Championship at Portmarnock. Photo by Patrick Bolger/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

Sara Byrne has progressed to the last-32 of the 121st Women’s Amateur Championship at Portmarnock, along with Lottie Woad, who overcame a scare to make it through.

Cheered on by home support on a glorious day, Byrne – who finished as the leading Irish qualifier – made a superb up-and-down at the 18th to take her last-64 meeting with Sweden’s Moa Svedenskiold down the 19th.

There the 23-year-old, prevailed under the watchful eye of Catriona Matthew, the Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup Captain for the contest at Sunningdale later this year. It was the only time Byrne was ahead in the tie.

“I was down early, two down through three. They were stupid mistakes I haven't made all week. But all I did was stay so patient, that's all I could do,” said Byrne.

"I was hitting really good shots, and the ball was just not dropping. Like the first putt I holed it was literally the up-and-down on 18. It was then a sigh of relief knowing I won at the 19th.

“The support this week, from the first round of stroke play qualifying, has been really great. I’ve had fans out watching me and the support has been absolutely incredible.

“They have been egging me on. I want to do it for myself and I want to do it for them and keep the entertainment going.”

Woad was the leading stroke play qualifier over the renowned links near Dublin but found herself two down early on against Singapore’s Aloysa Margiela Atienza in the first match play stage.

Woad, the number one on the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking, dug deep and battled back to all square going into the final three holes. After her opponent three-putted the 17th, the 20-year old’s impressive approach to the 18th sealed a two-hole triumph.

Having won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April, Woad is bidding to continue an impressive year but has a number of challengers from a world class field at Portmarnock.

“It was a lot more stressful than I probably would have liked,” admitted Woad.

“I made a few mistakes but hit some good shots towards the end that closed it out nicely.

“I have heard that phrase before (about the top stroke play qualifier often losing in the match play first round) but I knew I was playing well. I didn't play quite as well today and yeah, there was definitely some pressure there. I just kind of got through it in the end.” There was also a notable win for Scotland’s Hannah Darling, who went head-to-head with Ireland’s Beth Coulter in a repeat of their R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship Final of 2021. Darling, 20, is making her fifth appearance in the Championship, and again triumphed against Coulter thanks to a 3&2 victory.

However, Anna Foster was another Irish player to progress, defeating England’s Nellie Ong 4&3, while Spaniard Julia Lopez Ramirez, ranked fourth in the world standings, is also into the last-32 after edging out countrywoman Carla Bernat 2&1.

Last year’s finalist, Annabelle Pancake from the United States of America, continued to reacquaint herself with links golf with another solid showing to progress with a win at the 19th against Ireland’s Emma Fleming. Fellow American Rachel Kuehn also reached the last-32 after beating Spain’s Carla Tejedo Mulet 3&2.

The Women’s Amateur Champion in 2022, Jess Baker, bowed out after losing by two holes to Louise Rydqvist. The Swede claimed a little revenge after she was beaten by Baker in the Final at Hunstanton two years ago.

The winner of this year’s Championship has exciting opportunities, gaining entry to the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship and by tradition, will earn an invitation to compete at the Augusta National Women's Amateur.