WOMEN'S OPEN: The Irish players struggled to make an impact in the first round of the Women's British Open stroke-play championship at Leeds's Alwoodley course yesterday.

Cork's Claire Coughlan, who featured prominently in the Curtis Cup match in June, was unable to find her touch and could do no better than an eight-over-par 80.

That leaves her nine strokes adrift of leader Marie Allen, the 25-year-old Moor Park player who did not put a foot wrong.

Leading the Irish challenge heading into round two this morning is Tipperary's Marion Riordan who returned a 77, while Gillian O'Leary of Cork had a 79.

Beaverstown's Martina Gillen carded an 82 yesterday and is facing a struggle to make the cut. Limerick's Catherine Tucker had an 82, two strokes more than Maria Dunne from Skerries.

CHALLENGE TOUR: Stephen Browne is hoping that his first professional victory, in last weekend's Norwegian Challenge Open, will give him confidence to claim a place among the European Challenge Tour's top 15 at the Skandia PGA Open.

Browne, who moved from 61st to 25th place on the rankings after his win in Norway, can propel himself into the Challenge Tour's elite with victory in Sweden, and in doing so would be in line for a place on the 2005 European Tour if he can remain there until the Bouyges Telecom Grand Final in Bordeaux at the end of October.

"It only takes one week, one victory, and you are right in the race for the top 15," said Browne in Stockholm last night.