Mehaffey destroys course record to claim Woodbrook Ladies Scratch Cup
Olivia Mehaffey boosted her confidence as she counts down to back to back major championship appearances by smashing the course record en route to victory in the Woodbrook Ladies Scratch Cup.
The Arizona State University and Royal County Down star was trailing the holder, Castlewarden’s Lauren Walsh, by two shots after opening with a two-under 72 in blustery conditions at the lovely parkland course near Bray.
But she streaked to victory in the afternoon as she prepares to play the AIG Women’s Open and the ANA Inspiration over the next few weeks, making two eagle threes, five birdies and a bogey in a course record, eight-under par 66.
Walsh shot a second successive 70 to finish two behind in second as Mehaffey’s eight-under par 66 knocked five strokes off the course record of 71, set by Sue Phillips in a club competition.
“It’s fair to say she dismantled the place,” said Woodbrook’s Nicola Coffey after Mehaffey claimed the top prize by two strokes on 10-under par. “To eagle the 500 yard 12th, which was pretty much straight into the wind - different level.”
Playing with Walsh, Mehaffey birdied the par-five first and fifth holes, bogeyed the sixth to turn in one-under, but then birdied the 10th, eagled the 12th and 15th, then birdied the 16th and 17th for a scorching homeward nine of 30.
Woodbrook Ladies Scratch Cup 2020, Par 74 (CSS 76/75)
Supported by The Anderson Family
Winner (36 holes gross) Olivia Mehaffey (Royal County Down Ladies) 138
2nd Gross Lauren Walsh (Castlewarden) 140
3rd Gross Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe) 146
Under 18 (36 hole gross) Anna Dawson (Tramore) 149
Gross, 1st 18 Ellen O’Gorman (Milltown( 75
Gross, 2nd 18 Kate Lanigan (Hermitage) 73
Best Nett 36 holes Caitlin Shippam (Ballykisteen) 144