Cheyenne Woods put out a statement of intent just a week ahead of the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Tiger’s niece shot an opening round of five-under-par 67 in the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters on the Buckinghamshire golf course. However, it wasn’t good enough for the lead.
Out in front was potential Solheim Cup star Caroline Masson at nine-under, a tournament record. She had to share that with South African Ashleigh Simon, who returned from a hip injury two months ago.
There are three places available for the top players who are not yet exempt for the Ricoh Women’s British Open via this week’s tournament.
Woods is looking to book her spot and said afterwards that she was delighted with her round and determined not to let in slip, like she had done the previous week after a first-round 64 in Madrid.
“I felt like I played really steady. One bogey, I felt like I hit the ball well so overall it was a good day,” said Woods, who celebrated her 23rd birthday on Thursday.
“I definitely learned last week through experiencing it, so this week I feel really good. I’m just going to continue to play steady and not worry about today’s round. Tomorrow is a new day and I’ll just continue my strong play the rest of the week.”
Masson was also understandably delighted with her flawless round containing nine birdies, which would remind Solheim Cup Captain Liselotte Neumann of her talent just three weeks away from the biennial clash on 16-18 August at Colorado Golf Club.
“I played really well, really solid: hit 17 greens and made one really good save out of the bunker for par. It was solid golf, good putting and when it’s like that, golf is a lot of fun,” said the 24-year-old, from Gladbeck.
An early start in perfect conditions also proved the catalyst for Simon, who had 10 birdies and just one bogey on her card.
The 24-year-old from Johannesburg said: “I managed to birdie the last five holes to finish at nine-under, so I’m very pleased. Last week I finished fifth and played really well; I just made some silly mistakes. This week I knew if I kept hitting the ball like last week, there was a low one in me. I even had a drop today and that was a three-putt, so disappointing, but I stayed in the present and just kept going.”
England’s Charley Hull, 17, started well with an eagle on her first hole, the 10th, and was part of a group at four-under alongside the world No.7, Karrie Webb. Hull and Webb played with Laura Davies, who opened with a level par 72.
Webb, a veteran seven-time major champion from Australia, was impressed with the teenage Hull.
She said: “What a fantastic talent. Quite a big pairing for her today and she eagled the first hole. I don’t know how many nerves were there but very impressive. We joked that out there, she is a member at Woburn and that’s where I won my first British Open and it was a year before she was born so that puts things in perspective. I think she’ll be around for a long time!”
Photo: Tristan Jones