It was always going to be a memorable week for Cara Gainer at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open with the Englishwoman teeing up at a Major championship for the very first time.
But after finishing strong on Friday to make the cut by one shot, Gainer’s Major debut got even sweeter on Saturday as she bypassed a day of high scoring to soar up the leaderboard at Walton Heath.
Sat in T61 after two rounds of action, Gainer carded four birdies including a wonderful hole out from the bunker on 17 to post a 70 (-2) and surge into T28.
“I’ve really enjoyed it,” the 27-year-old said. “It’s my first time playing the AIG Women’s Open and also a Major championship, so there was a lot of nerves to begin with. I think I’ve now settled in well. I had a few clutch moments yesterday which got me through into weekend and today was a great moving day.
“The first few days played pretty soft but now it’s really firming up. We’ve also had a lot of wind today and I feel like my game suits that. I posted a good score today and hoped I could jump up the leaderboard because it’s only getting tougher.”
And if Gainer’s stellar scoring on day three wasn’t enough, the Englishwoman was also boosted by having a host of friends and family in attendance on home soil – including her sister, Jess.
“It’s crazy, I’ve never experienced anything like this,” Gainer continued. “Loads of my family and golf club members have come out. I’ve obviously got my coach here. All my family are here. They don’t get to see me play very often so it’s really nice!
“Other than last week, my sister had never seen me play. She came last week [in Scotland] but she had never seen me play before that. It’s really nice.”
Currently eighth in the Race to Costa Del Sol and enjoying one of her best seasons to date, Gainer will now be aiming for more of the same on Sunday as she chases a low finish in her Major debut.
She said: “I’m hoping for similar today, tomorrow. Just trying to grind it out hole by hole. It depends on the conditions really. If I can post another two-under round that’s definitely going to get me right up the leaderboard.
“I’m from Berkshire which is close to Surrey so we’ve got a lot of courses which play similar to this. I’ve played the New Course here at Walton Heath but not the Old Course, so I know a couple of the holes we’re playing. It’s all pretty similar and I enjoy this type of golf.”
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