Olivia to play in Women’s British Open

Olivia Mehaffey has qualified to play in her first major Championship.

She will tee it up alongside the cream of world golf at the RICOH Women’s British Open from the 28th to the 31st July next year.

That comes as the 17 year-old made history by becoming the first Irish golfer to win the LGU Order of Merit after what has been a record-breaking season.

“It’s so cool,” she said.

“It’s just annoying that it’s still so far away.

“Going into the final event that counted for Order of Merit points, I was second, although I didn’t realise I had slipped off the lead. I thought all I had to do was make the cut. I only found out from my dad after the event that I had been second but I did enough anyway.

“Dad also said that it got me into the British Open but I didn’t really believe what he was saying. I was sort of like ‘yeah, sure it does,’ but then I went home and checked the website and got a call from the LGU to confirm he was right!”

Olivia has won the Scottish and Welsh Ladies’ Open titles this season as well as claiming victory Irish Girls’ and finishing runner up in both the British Strokeplay Championship and the Irish Close Match-Play.

And she will be well prepared for the assault on the British Open next year, sneaking in some practice at the venue ahead of her tournament.

She said: “It’s actually a coincidence that one of my best friends lives in Woburn and I had planned to get over there for a few days in October to play and to chill out. I’ll have all my prep done for the Open, it will be great!”

For more from Olivia, including a build-up to her final tournaments of the season, the Home Internationals and the Junior Solheim Cup, see next week’s Leader.