Lauren Walsh has already had a special summer in Scotland but is savouring the opportunity to tee it up on home soil at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
The LET rookie played herself into the co-sanctioned ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open and AIG Women’s Open after her form earlier in the year.
This year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open is taking place on The O’Meara Course at Carton House, A Fairmont Managed Hotel.
Walsh, who sits third in the Rookie of the Year standings, hails from Kildare and is excited to be able to get home comforts this week alongside plenty of support from friends and family.
“It’s been a very exciting three weeks,” said Walsh. “I was delighted my form earlier in the year got me into the Scottish and the AIG Women’s Open last week. It was a great run up to this event at home. I got a lot of support the past two weeks and even more to come this week.
“My mum, dad, my siblings and I think my grandparents are going to come out too. My aunties, uncles, cousins. A bunch of people from my golf clubs who have supported me for many years, I have some teachers coming out – neighbours. The whole of Kildare will be coming out and watching. It’s exciting.
“It’s nice to be able to stay at home, have some of my mum’s cooking for dinner and stay in my own bed. That’s really big for me after all the travel we’ve done so far this year. It’s close to home for all my family and extended family too, just to know everyone out there is rooting for me is a big help and that’s definitely worth a couple of shots this week.”
This week marks Walsh’s debut in the Women’s Irish Open and what better way to do it surrounded by family and friends.
Having seen the crowds that came out in their droves at Dromoland Castle in 2022 and 2023, the 23-year-old is hoping to inspire the next generation at Carton House.
“I think little Lauren would be really excited that we’re getting to tee it up on home soil and hoping to inspire lots of little boys and girls who will be out there this week,” she explained. “If a couple of girls pick the game up from coming out and watching that would be really cool.
“It is in beautiful condition out there, the greens are really nice and it’s soft, so I think we will definitely see a lot of birdie opportunities. There’s five par-5s out there which creates five good chances and with one or two shorter par-4s as well.
“It will be some fun come the weekend. The weather looks great as well, so it’s going to be good. Plenty of birdies, I’ll look forward to it.”
Walsh begins her title tilt at 1.36 pm (local time) alongside Dutch star Anne Van Dam and 2022 champion Klara Davidson Spilkova.
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 #KPMGWIO.
