Lahinch amateur Áine Donegan brought all her links nous to bear at the famed Pebble Beach in Monterey, California on Thursday to sit just one off the lead after the first round of the US Women’s Open.
The 21-year-old Louisiana State University student made light of the fact that her clubs arrived late, and that when she unpacked them the head of her driver had snapped off, with a stunning round of three-under 69.
That left her one behind China’s Xiyu Janet Lin and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim.
Among the later starters at Pebble Beach, it was an equally good day for Cavan’s Leona Maguire who made five birdies and two bogeys on her way to carding a round of 69 to sit alongside Donegan at three-under and in a share of third place.
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Donegan, playing in her first tournament on the LPGA Tour, arrived at Pebble Beach having helped Europe reclaim the Vagliano Trophy in Scotland – but without clubs.
When she was reunited with them on Tuesday, the driver was in two pieces and so she used one in a set pieced together by her club manufacturers.
The 21-year-old, who holed out with a wedge for an eagle to go with five birdies, said: “The whole thing has been a bit surreal to be honest. Nearly every five minutes it’s like a pinch-me moment.
“It wouldn’t be the first time I started bogey-bogey. For me to come back then and finish how I finished and play the rest of round, I’m really proud of myself for that.”
Maguire, who held the lead after the third round at last month’s Women’s PGA Championship before falling away, said it did not take her long to get over that disappointment.
She said: “It’s golf. These things happen. I think you have to get on with things pretty quickly, dust yourself off.”
She said playing a major at Pebble Beach has “been circled on the calendar”.
Donegan qualified for her first Major through US Open qualifying. She has been living the life in California, having already played with great Annika Sorenstam in a practice round.
England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff opened with a one-under-par 71, two better than compatriot Charley Hull and Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, English trio Alice Hewson, Charlotte Thomas and Bronte Law finishing on 74 with Georgia Hall a further two strokes back.
Rose Zhang, the 20-year-old sensation who won on her professional debut earlier this season, opened with a 74.
World number one Jin Young Ko made only one birdie in an opening 79, three worse than number two Nelly Korda playing alongside her who put her opening drive over the cliff and onto the beach at the 10th.
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap of Thailand only made it through five holes of the first round when she was disqualified for her caddie using a rangefinder, which is allowed at other LPGA events.
