Sara Byrne: 'It feels weird earning money playing golf now but it’s a dream'

The 23-year-old from Douglas in Cork plays in her first Ladies European Tour event as a professional in Alicante on Thursday

ON THE UP: Sara Byrne celebrates winning her match during the Sunday Singles at the Curtis Cup at Sunningdale (Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Sara Byrne steps up to her first Ladies European Tour event as a professional golfer in Alicante on Thursday, feeling free to concentrate on playing well and not worry about the pitfalls of life on tour.

Great Britain and Ireland’s unbeaten star of last month’s Curtis Cup victory over the United States turned pro two days later on September 3 and played her first event in the non-amateur ranks three days after that at the Rose Ladies Open in Hertfordshire on the LET Access Tour. Picking up an impressive tie for 13th and the first prize money of her career, the 23-year-old from Douglas hit the ground running but she is determined to keep expectations as restrained as possible as she prepares to tee off in the €1 million La Sella Open.