Daffinrud, Wikstrom lead in Morocco

Ladies European Tour rookie Tonje Daffinrud of Norway and 12th season veteran Ursula Wikstrom of Finland share the first round lead at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco after recording a pair of four under par 67s in fair conditions at Golf de l’Ocean in Agadir on Thursday.
Daffinrud, playing in her third LET event, set the early target after rattling off four birdies including a two metre effort on the par four ninth, her last hole.
“It was a pretty good start to the week. I felt really good so I was able to attack some pins and I’m happy,” said the 23-year-old.
“It helped me a lot. I came straight from college so I didn’t know what professional life would be like so for me that was the only way to get into it. I learned a lot from it: just the routine of travelling every week and you become friends with all the players.
“It’s early. I’m not going to put too much into it. I feel great today and I’ll go out and do the same tomorrow. I had a good start to the season and this is where I want to be. I’m here to win,” she added.
The University of Denver graduate was joined by Wikstrom later in the day. The 34-year-old posted five birdies and one bogey, carrying strong form across from the World Ladies Championship in China, where she finished fifth a fortnight ago.
Wikstrom said: “It was an easy day and I sneaked in the score. I didn’t feel I was playing that well, but only five birdies, one bogey and not too many mistakes. I used all the chances that I had.
“I made one bogey on number one, my 10th, where I hit it on the left and had to take a drop.
“After yesterday it was pretty easy, because there was not that much wind but the greens are much faster than at the beginning of the week and also the fairways, so you get more run on the ball, but we’ve played here so many years that I know the course quite well.”
The pair hold a one stroke lead over 10 other players, including five Frenchwomen: Gwladys Nocera, Jade Schaeffer, Anne-Lise Caudal, Celine Herbin and 16-year-old amateur Matthilda Cappeliez, who finished 25th in the tournament last year.
“I remember last year. It was good and bad memories, but it was an experience, so just keep going and forget the bad ones,” said Cappeliez. “I made a few birdies on the front and on the back also, so it was nice. Unfortunately I was unlucky on the eighth and I put my drive into a tree.”
Also on three under are four Englishwomen: Trish Johnson, Ellie Givens, Felicity Johnson and Florentyna Parker and Dane Nicole Broch Larsen.
Defending champion Hull had a tough day with four bogeys and a double on the eighth against three birdies in a three over par 74.
“I didn’t hit it very well… I mean, I hit it alright, but just didn’t score,” said Hull, on her way to the practice putting green.
Latest
-
News
Sponsor Ralph Lauren drops Justin Thomas following homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three uttered the derogatory word towards himself after missing a putt at Kapalua last weekend.
-
News
Bryson DeChambeau keeping brain relaxed to avoid repeat of Masters misery
DeChambeau said his brain went into overdrive at Augusta National.
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.