The 2026 KPMG Women’s Irish Open got off to an ace start despite the rain at The K Club as we witnessed three holes-in-one within a few hours of each other on Thursday.
With the Ladies European Tour (LET) teeing up at the iconic venue for the very first time, England’s Jess Baker got things started in Ireland when she holed out at the par-3 12th on the Palmer South Course.
“That’s my second hole-in-one,” Baker said, who opened with a round of 71 (-1). “My first was in a practice round on the LET Access Series (LETAS) last year. It was 142 yards into the wind off the left. I pured an 8-iron, it was looking good then it landed and disappeared. I was like, ‘oh my god!’
“I was really pleased with my dad because it’s tough out there with the wind and the rain. It was very exciting.”
An hour later and another ace dropped as France’s Emma Falcher holed out at the par-3 8th with a 9-iron from 122 yards. The hole-in-one is the rookie’s first on the LET who had a rollercoaster day eventually carding a round of 79 (+7).
Teeing up in the afternoon wave, England’s Cara Gainer, a one-time winner on the LET, then recorded the first hole-in-one of her life holing out on the par-3 2nd from 117 yards.
“It was an amazing way to start,” the 31-year-old said who opened with a round of 71 (-1) in Ireland. “I almost can’t remember because it feels so long ago. I just hit a little chippy 9-iron in the pouring rain. I was in my waterproofs so wasn’t really hitting full shots at that point. It was the perfect shot and actually spun back into the hole. We saw it pitch and we saw it spin in.
“I’ve never had a hole-in-one ever [before today]! First ever one. I was like, ‘this is so cool’. At least I can finally say I’ve had one now because people always ask me how many I’ve had and I have to tell them none. Now I can say I’ve had one in a tournament too.”
A total of 12 LET members have now made aces during the 2026 season on the circuit. The trio join India’s Diksha Dagar, Australia’s Kelsey Bennett, Thailand’s Aunchisa Utama, Spain’s Blanca Fernandez, Wales’ Lydia Hall, England’s Gemma Clews, Thailand’s April Angurasaranee, Czech Republic’s Lucie Vachova and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda in the circle.
Elsewhere on day one at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, South Africa’s Casandra Alexander fired the course record 63 (-9) on the Palmer South to storm into a four-shot lead.
Follow all the action throughout the tournament on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #KPMGWIO.
