Golf:A fortnight after finishing bottom of the field alongside Rebecca Coakley in the European Nations Cup, Hazel Kavanagh rediscovered her spark in the first round of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open today.
Having gained valuable experience from a previous visit to Belek in 2008, when the vast majority of the field struggled to get to grips with the National Club’s tight tree-lined layout, Kavanagh plotted her way around to record her lowest round of the year.
A four-under-par 69 (the first time Kavanagh has shot in the 60s this season) left the Dubliner in second place and just one behind Denmark’s Iben Tinning.
“I’m really pleased with the way it went. I just decided to go out there and see what happened because I didn’t do myself justice in the Nations Cup,” Kavanagh said.
“My rhythm has been out the last few weeks but I found it on the range so I’m a lot more confident. I love the course, it’s not all about length, more about position. I worked out where I needed to hit it in practice and that paid off out there.”
On two over, Coakley may be seven adrift but remains in the top 20 while Alison Walshe is one further back. Tara Delaney (five over) and Martina Gillen (six over) have more ground to make up.