First two rounds of Matchplay leave exciting field

The top 64 players from the stroke play phase teed off from 7.30am at the Royal St George's Golf Club this morning.

Gabrella Cowley

Leading qualifier Laetitia Beck (Israel) was first off and continued her momentum from yesterday by defeating Emma Broze (France) by 4&2. She was shortly joined by Scottish Curtis Cup player Gemma Dryburgh, with the two due to meet in the first match of the afternoon.

Su-Hyun Oh of Australia, the top world ranked player in the field, had a decisive win over Louise Ridderstrom (Sweden), while all three of the “Spanish Armada” safely made it into Round 2.

There was disappointment for Curtis Cup players Annabel Dimmock and Bronte Law lost on the 18 th and 16 th holes respectively, but Gabriella Cowley came out on top against Emma Henrickson of Sweden, Olivia Mehaffey of Royal County Down Ladies kept Irish hopes alive with a 2&1 win over another Swede, Madelene Sagstrom, while Alice Hewson of Berkhamstead was 4&3 winner over another English player Meghan Maclaren.

Alice, as well as playing in this week's championship, is also working with the LGU on work experience.

Afternoon Matches The run of leading qualifier Laetitia Beck came to a halt when she lost on the 18 th green to Scotland's Gemma Dryburgh. Gemma will play Emily Pedersen (Denmark) in the first match tomorrow.

Alice Hewson's run of form continued with a 4&3 win over Germany's Laura Funfstuck, earning her a crowd-pulling tie in the morning against Su-Hyun Oh,

Three other English players, GB&I internationalists Hayley Davis and Gabriella Cowley and Rosie Davies who attends Indiana University, are also still in the mix, although Irish hopes were dashed with Olivia Mehaffey's defeat by Germany's Antonia Scherer.

With a truly international field playing in round 3, all are welcome to come along and watch the cream of ladies amateur golf. For details of results and tomorrows draw, visit our online scoring system