Anna Foster leads Irish challenge in Women’s Amateur

The Auburn University star (22) made a birdie and two bogeys in a tidy, one-over 73 to share 10th place in the race to make the top 64 who qualify for the matchplay after today’s second round.

The stout north Dublin links was the big winner on day one as just four players in the 144-strong field broke par.

Texan Farah O’Keefe and England’s Lottie Woad, the world amateur No 1, fired three-under 69s to lead by two strokes from Belgium’s Savannah De Bock and Sweden’s Meja Ortengren.

Douglas’ Sara Byrne was joint 14th after a 74; Áine Donegan, Kate Lanigan and Beth Coulter tied 31st after 76s; Annabel Wilson tied 45th after a 77; and Emma Fleming and Anna Abom joint 58th after 78s

Meanwhile, Royal Portrush’s Jack Madden fired a six-under 66 to claim one of six places on offer at Regional Qualifying for The Open at County Louth.

He topped the leaderboard by two shots from Co Louth amateur Gerard Dunne and by three from The K Club’s Liam Grehan. Seven players who shot 70 played off for the last three spots with Jack Hume, Jake Whelan and Niall Kearney advancing.

Final Qualifying for at least 16 spots alongside Rory McIlroy, Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry at Royal Troon takes place at four venues on July 2.​