In some way, Julia López Ramírez (PAR) did not need an introduction. Her triumph in last year’s European Amateur Championship coupled with her recent rise to the top of the world ranking, had already shown the golf world the kind of player that is being developed.
However, what the Andalusian amateur has done this morning on the first day of the AIG Women’s Open is to send out a full-throated shout of who she is and what she is willing to do in the world of golf. She is still an amateur and is only playing her second Major, but her attitude is that of a golfer who knows she is playing for something big. This Thursday at Saint Andrews she has left her mark and a business card that is not easily forgotten.
She started on the first tee of the Old Course, a mythical and imposing stage if there ever was one, as if she were strolling through her garden every day. Birdie on the first hole and birdie on the second. As if it were nothing. She can now say that she has led a Major, even if it was momentarily. It is just an anecdote, but knowing how complicated this sport is and the need to take it step by step, it would not be surprising if in the coming years we see Julia more often around that position.
The current number two in the world amateur played in the morning round alongside Ariya Jutanugarn (PAR) and Linnea Strom (-1) under difficult conditions, although all things considered, as the hours go by the day is getting more and more complicated. Even so, there was a lot of wind during the four hours of her round with some peaks of up to 40 kilometres per hour. All she lacked was a bit of rain for the round to be completely Scottish.
After the initial two birdies came two consecutive stumbles on the sixth and seventh flag of the day. Despite this, she closed under par the first nine holes of her second British Open. Not bad. Conditions were getting tougher. It was time to hold on. Despite this, Julia has maintained her composure at all times and only a real ogre that was the 17th hole prevented her from finishing under par. At the time of writing these lines more than 31 players from the morning round have succumbed on this flag. Julia could not be an exception and closed the first round with a round of 72 strokes. It is likely to serve her to close the day around the top twenty of the tournament.
The best of this morning round has been Ruoning Yin (-4) with a crushing 68 strokes. In conditions of a lot of wind, the Chinese has been able to control her game and with seven birdies and three bogeys she places herself at the top. It would not be at all strange if no golfer can surpass her for the rest of the day. The champion of the PGA Championship 2023 is looking for her second Major at just 21 years of age.
It was not a great start for the European players who have their place assured in the Solheim Cup and who came out in the morning round: Magdelene Sagstrom (+6), Linn Grant (+5) and Esther Henseleit (+5).
The positive note was left by the English Georgia Hall (-1) who was one of the best of the morning and one of the few to finish the morning round under par. On the other hand, Anna Nordqvist (+7), who although not classified seems to have a secure place in Virginia, has started with a card of 79 strokes.
The Scottish and local player Gemma Dryburgh (79) with her round of +7 has not had the best start to try to scratch Pettersen some of the invitations that the captain has left. Alexandra Forsterling (+4), another one who must convince Suzann, has also not started as expected with a round of 76 strokes.
On the American side, Lauren Coughlin (+4), one of the most in-form players on the circuit and recent winner at the Scottish Open has also succumbed to the claws of Saint Andrews with a round of four over par.
In the national section, the other five Spanish women make their presence known in the afternoon round of this first day.
