The European Ladies’ Amateur Championship is underway in Sweden. Tough windy conditions played their role as expected on day 1, although the solo leader went as low as -4.
Despite playing through calmer winds in the early morning, Carla Tejedo put out her best golf on the open and hilly back 9.
The Spaniard carded four birdies from 12 to 16, and was very close to holing out another one on the 17th. A par on the 18th gave her the first significant club-house lead, with a 4-under 67. A mark that no one else was able to reach.
Several of Tejedo’s compatriots managed to put their names in the upper part of the leaderboard. Carla Bernat shot a 2-under 69, as well as Marina Escobar, who carded the best score of the afternoon flight.
Both share second place with the two best Swedes of Round 1, Nora Sundberg and World amateur number 1 player, Ingrid Lindblad.
Playing in the top group, Germany’s Helen Briem was first to close out the day on a 69 (-2). The strong hitting player from Stuttgart carded three birdies on the first seven holes and held firm through tougher conditions on the back 9.
Six players are packed at 7th place at -1, including no less than three other Spanish players. Golf Ireland players are also represented in the bunch by Beth Coulter and Kate Lanigan. Playing in the last groups of the day, Sweden’s Kajsalotta Svarvar was the ultimate player to finish under par.
Several favourites trail the leaders by only a few shots and will try to fight their way to the top on Thursday, in round 2.
