Two share Irish Women's Open Stroke Play Lead

May 13, 2017 | by Irish Golf Desk

36-hole co-leader Gemma Clews <br>(Photo Courtesy of Cashman Photography)

Maria Dunne and Gemma Clews will share the lead when the final round begins on Sunday

BALTRY, Ireland (May 13, 2017) - Speaking at a reception in honor of Clarrie Reddan and Philomena Garvey at Co. Louth after round one of the 2017 Irish Women's Open Stroke Play Championship, Mary McKenna MBE, Curtis Cup and Irish golfing legend commented "I was lucky enough to have known both women and there is no doubt that they contributed to what I was able to achieve in the game." There is also no doubt that these two Baltray Stalwarts are inspiring this generation of female golfers as they compete for the Clarrie Reddan and Philomena Garvey Trophy at Co. Louth. First round leader Maria Dunne (Skerries) dropped a shot at the first hole today, drawing her level with playing partner Gemma Clews of England. She carded 5 birdies in her following 17 holes, however 3 more blemishes and a 5 on the difficult par 3 5th hole would leave her 1 over for the day and 8 under par total. Clews, who was one behind Dunne after 18 holes carded a level par 75 to tie for the lead. "I've played in this event quite a few times, it's always good to be here. I finished level today with a bit of a dodgy finish dropping two in the last three holes but the course is good and is playing tough today, the wind got up and it was a different wind to yesterday as well which made a difference," commented Gemma. Clews, who emerged victorious at the Welsh Ladies Open Championship last week is quietly confident heading into tomorrow's final round, "my all round game is pretty good, I'm controlling my ball pretty well, especially off the tee. Hopefully I can use a bit of confidence from last week and keep doing what I'm doing really." Georgia Price and Louisa Brunt, both from England, carded the lowest rounds of the day, a pair of 3 under par 72's. Price was delighted with her score which puts her in contention, 4 shots off the lead: "It was tough today, it was demanding especially with the wind how it was today, steady golf is good around here." Course strategy was key for the Englishwoman, "I planned to take some of the trouble out of play which I think was important, because on some of the holes there were bunkers in play that you didn't even have to think about yesterday, you had to think a lot more out there today." Best of the Irish scores in round 2 came from Ciara Casey (Hermitage) who added a 1 under 74 to her opening 76. "I was 5 under through 14 and bogeyed the last 4 but it's still a good score and there are a lot of good positives to take out of the day and it won't leave me in a bad position coming into Sunday." The final round will begin at 8.00am on Sunday morning with the final group of Dunne, Clews and Bailey teeing off at 10.50am.

Results: Irish Women's Stroke Play

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Maria Dunne	, Ireland	500	66-76-74=216
T2	Sophie Lamb	, England	400	71-76-71=218
T2	Gemma Clews	, England	400	67-75-76=218
T4	Katherine O'Connor	, Wales	300	72-74-75=221
T4	Lianna Bailey	, England	300	71-73-77=221