Three players chasing their maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) win share the lead after a wet and windy day one at the 2024 Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
England’s Bel Wardle, home favourite Emma Grechi and the in-form Kirsten Rudgeley all fired cards of 66 (-5) at Golf Barriere in Deauville to top the pile on Thursday.
Wardle – yet to make a cut on the LET in her rookie season – got the ball rolling posting eight birdies including four a row on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The latter being a chip-in in Normandy.
Reflecting on her best ever LET round, the English rookie said: “I finally started holing some putts. I have been putting it close the last few weeks but was holing absolutely nothing. So that was the big difference. I had a chip-in on the 5th too. I was feeling confident this morning but I’ve been struggling to put a score together.
“My best friend Becca is on the bag. She doesn’t play golf so that helped me today. I didn’t have to concentrate too much on the golf in-between shots.”
Following suit shortly after was Grechi. Playing at home, and with her mum on the bag, the 26-year-old got off to a great start eagling the par-5 2nd at Golf Barriere. She would follow this up with birdies at the 5th, 9th and 11th for a bogey-free card.
“My season has not been the best,” Grechi said – currently 97th in the Order of Merit.” I was with my mum [who is caddying] so I just tried to enjoy it. Today I thought I would try everything. It could be either -10 or +10, but I don’t care. I was more aggressive than I have been all season. All types of shots. I stayed focused on that and it was working. Tomorrow I will try to do the same.
“It’s super cool [playing at home]. I was really really happy to have my mum with me. She was my caddie today. I really appreciate it because she takes me out of the golf. Thanks to her.”
After a brief lightning delay, Rudgeley also posted a bogey-free card in the afternoon to continue her excellent form having finishing T12 at last week’s La Sella Open and T5 at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
“We got the right numbers today,” the Australian said after birdying the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 10th holes. “I putted well and only missed a couple of fairways all day which is nice when it’s wet. You can definitely fire at the flag. Solid all round.
“I’ve been up there the last few weeks. We’ll just keep going and see what Saturday brings us. I’m definitely hungry for the win.”
A bunched leaderboard trail our leaders after day one in Deauville with 10 players within three shots of the trio. Four players share fourth on four-under par, a quartet which includes Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord, Switzerland’s Elena Moosmann, Italy’s Virginia Elena Carta and Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.
Order of Merit number one Chiara Tamburlini shares eighth position with Cara Gorlei on three-under par. The South African had a day to remember making her second hole-in-one of the season at the par-3 5th.
The second round of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France continues tomorrow morning at 8:15am local time.
You can follow all the action throughout the tournament on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #RaiseOurGame | #LLODF
