Australia’s Kelsey Bennett tops the leaderboard on day one at the Hulencourt Women’s Open, with an opening round of 67 (-5) in Belgium.
Starting on the 10th tee, Bennett had a strong run of birdies, including multiple back-to-back streaks on both the front and back nine around Hulencourt. Despite two bogeys and a double bogey, the Australian still managed an impressive five-under-par round, thanks to a remarkable nine birdies over the opening 18 holes.
Chasing her first LET victory, the 25-year-old has had a solid start of the season, recording three top-10 finishes – including a tie for eighth at both the Joburg Ladies Open and the Aramco Korea Championship, and an impressive T3 at the Investec SA Women’s Open.
“I’m pretty happy with today”, she said. “I can’t complain when you hole a few putts, so it’s good. My caddie and I really spoke through a lot of the shots today, and it definitely pulled off.”
(Kelsey Bennett with her caddie Michael during the first round. Credit: Tristan Jones/LET)
“You’ve got to get in the right position off the tee, especially with that wind. It got up a bit, so just making sure you judge the right distance, especially as there’s a fair few run-offs on the sides of the greens.”
She noted that having a caddie has made a noticeable difference, especially during the weeks she’s performed well.
“It’s just golf. I mean, it comes and goes, so I do benefit from having a caddie, so the week that I’ve done a bit better, I’ve had a caddie, so hopefully that can continue.”
With growing experience on Tour, Bennett believes success often comes down to how well a course suits a player’s eye – and this week, she felt Hulencourt aligned well with her game. Confident in her preparation and mindset, she’s looking to build on a strong start.
“I’ve just played so many golf courses now. So honestly, I think it just depends what sets up to your eyes. Some courses you look at and you just think how am I going to get around here. This course in the practice rounds I’ve thought this suits my game really well, so you just got to take that positive thinking and roll with it.”
India’s Avani Prashanth and Germany’s Helen Briem sit in a tie for second place, after firing rounds of 68 (-4) for the first 18 holes.
Despite dropping shots on the 5th, 7th, and 14th, a total of seven birdies ensured she scored low on the first day.
“I think it was a very good day from start to finish,” said the rookie. “The putter was really hot all day. I love quick greens so this is definitely one of my favourite golf courses so far. I was reading putts perfectly and I’ve been working quite a bit on my putting the last two days, so I’m glad it all came together.”
At just 18-years-old, Prashanth is feeling good about her opening round.
“I’m feeling pretty good about it and I’m just glad that I finally got the good first day that I wanted. Things are off to a good start and let’s see how the week goes.
“I think the game plan was pretty much the same to last week, despite being very different courses. I just had to work on getting my speed in control, but besides that, it’s been the same,” continued the teenager.
Commenting on her rookie year: “I’m loving it so far. I think the golf can be slightly better, but that’s just an everyday thing.”
Prashanth is enjoying spending time with some fellow Indian players on Tour. They had some home food last night which she described as “a kind of home away from home.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, she knows exactly how she wants to approach it: “I think the second I play conservatively, I can’t play golf, so I’m just going to stay aggressive and hopefully just not make bogeys tomorrow.”
Germany’s Helen Briem carried her momentum into today’s round, building on her impressive runner-up finish in Tenerife last week.
“I think it’s the first under-par first round in a tournament so far this season, so I’m really happy with that”, said the 19-year-old.
The 2024 Rising Star of the Year winner reflected on her round saying she thinks there’s still some room for improvement, but overall was very happy with her performance.
“It was really tough out there with the heat”, she continued. “For me around 14 was really hot. I’m happy to play that well even though I don’t really like the heat.”
Briem rolled in an eagle putt on the ninth, capping off a three-under-par front nine.
“The eagle was a great momentum boost. I got a little bit unfortunate with that lie, but the putt dropped and it was a nice add on. I think it’s my first eagle this year.”
One shot back are four players on three-under par including Scotland’s Kylie Henry, England’s Cara Gainer, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and Wales’ Lydia Hall.
“I played really well”, said the Scot. “It wasn’t easy. The course is set up quite tough, and it’s windy, so I’m really happy with that.”
The two-time LET winner waited a while for their second shot onto one, and ended up hitting it just past the green.
“I was just happy to get that par putt [on the first hole]. It was good, and 18 isn’t that easy, especially with that crosswind, so I was happy to finish with the par.
“Some holes are really exposed. The par-fives play tough, quite a few of them, like five, six iron on a couple. I’m happy with how I’ve done today,” said the 38-year-old.
This week’s course is very different compared to last week’s Tenerife Women’s Open.
“The grass is totally different [to last week] but I do think the grass is similar to the British grass that I’ve grown up playing. So I suppose that’s nice to have that familiarity. And the course does play similar to a parkland course.”
Commenting on her season so far, the Scot said: “My game has actually been pretty good this year, but it’s just been tough. I guess it’s hard to be patient when you’re playing quite well, but not actually scoring very well. I’ve tried to stay patient and to not let things get to me when they’ve not quite gone my way, and you’re missing a cut by a shot. It is tough. So I’ve just tried to stay patient and then to go and play solid today, make some clutch putts as well, it’s nice to be able to do that.
“With golf but I suppose all sport, there’s more downs than ups, but I have to really try and keep cementing the good and keep upbeat. I do feel like my game is as good as it’s ever been, but obviously results maybe don’t show that sometimes, so at the end of the day, it’s just how I behave, and how you treat yourself is what matters.”
A total of six players are in a share of eighth place on two-under par after round one. Denmark’s Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen, France’s Camille Chevalier, Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz, Australia’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, Hong Kong’s Ginnie Ding, and Germany’s Leonie Harm, are only a further shot back.
Round two of the Hulencourt Women’s Open continues tomorrow, with the first two groups going out at 8:10am (local time).
Follow all the action throughout the tournament on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook –#HulencourtWomensOpen.
