The Irish team of Leona Maguire, Lisa Maguire, Laura McCarthy and Stephanie Meadow are in the lead after the first round of strokeplay qualifying at the Girls' European Team Championships at Kokola, Finland.
A combined total of 221 on the opening day sees Ireland on +5 for the tournament, one shot ahead of nearest challengers Spain. Irish Women's Close and Strokeplay Champion Lisa Maguire got the team off to a great start with a level par round of 72.
She was followed by sister Leona who carded a round of 77 which was matched by the ever improving Laura McCarthy of Muskerry. With three scores to count from the four players, Stephanie Meadow finished strongly producing two birdies in the last 5 holes to finish the day on level par and propel Ireland to the top of the table at the end of day one.
Tomorrow sees the second round of strokeplay qualifying take place, after which the top 8 teams will go on to play off for medal positions over three days of foursomes and singles match play, with the rest of the field battling it out for minor placings.
The tournament will finish on 11 July.
Girls’ European Team Championships - First Round Qualifying Results (Par 72)
221 Ireland*
222 Spain
224 Finland
225 England
226 Netherlands
227 Czech Republic
228 Belgium
231 Wales, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Germany
232 France
234 Switzerland, Norway
239 Scotland
243 Italy
247 Latvia, Greece
* 72 Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), 72 Stephanie Meadow (Royal Portrush), 77 Laura McCarthy (Muskerry), [77] Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell))
