British Women's Amateur: Coulter and Lindblad lead quarter-final lineup
Ingrid Lindblad (photo courtesy The R&A)
Leading stroke play qualifier Beth Coulter and women’s amateur world number one Ingrid Lindblad continued their title challenges by reaching the quarter-finals of The 120th Women’s Amateur Championship at Prince’s.
Making her fifth Women’s Amateur appearance, Coulter, 19, has maintained the form that saw the Irish player win the 36-hole stroke play qualifying by three shots while Lindblad is also shining in the glorious conditions on the Kent coast.
Coulter is into the last eight for the first time after overcoming Lucy Lin, the talented 13-year-old from Cyprus, at the 19th in the last-32 before also coming through a close content with France’s Justine Fournand to win by two holes. Three birdies in the last seven holes helped Coulter defeat Fournand and set up a quarter-final with Sweden’s Elin Pudas Remler, who edged out Spaniard Andrea Revuelta in the last-16 at the 19th.
“In match play it's never over until it's over,” said Coulter. “I've always held that value and I think it's so important because even when you get down it's important to not let it get away from you. I battled back a bit this morning when it got away from me and this afternoon I tried to keep my foot on the gas when I got up. I’m really happy. I love playing these championships and we'll see what I can do tomorrow.”
Lindblad only dropped one shot in her two matches on Friday to illustrate her form, winning high-quality contests. In the last-16, the Swede took on Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio – third on the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®) and runner-up in the Girls’ Amateur last year at Carnoustie – and highlighted a 4&3 victory with an eagle at the par-5 12th.
Earlier, Lindblad was six-under-par in a morning meeting with Patience Rhodes, recent winner of the St Rule Trophy. Rhodes registered seven birdies of her own – there were 13 between the pair – but bogeys cost the English player as she lost out by two holes. Lindblad now faces an all-Swedish tie with Kajsa Arwefjall, who survived a comeback from Francesca Fiorellini to beat the Italian 3&1.
“I was just trying to keep the ball in play, hitting the fairways and greens,” said Lindblad. “I played better in the morning than in the afternoon. On the front nine against Cayetana, it was back and forth but I felt I had more control on the back nine and hit it close on the 12th (for eagle).
“We both played well and it was fun. The Swedish players seem to be working well on the links this week and we have a good national team.”
Story courtesy The R&A
ABOUT THE Ladies British Amateur
This championship, along with the US Women’s
Amateur Golf Championship, is considered the
most
important in women’s amateur golf.
The first stage of the Championship involves
144
players each of whom plays two rounds of 18
holes.
The 64 lowest scores over the 36 holes will
compete
in the match play stage of the Championship.
Each
match will consist of one round of 18 holes,
including
the Final.
The ‘Pam Barton Memorial Salver’ is awarded to
the
winner of the Championship, while the runner-
up
receives The Diana Fishwick Cup. An
international
team award is presented after the stroke play
qualifying rounds.
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