Olivia celebrates call-up with top Welsh win

So for Olivia Mehaffey to say she has just notched up her ‘biggest achievement’ so far, it really is saying something.

That’s exactly how she feels about her Curtis Cup call-up.

And she certainly channelled that joy into another big weekend, retaining her Welsh Ladies Open Strokeplay title, winning by five shots from Jessica Ross.

The Curtis Cup sees a GB & I team take on USA in a Ryder Cup style series of matches - arguably the biggest competition in ladies’ amateur golf.

“I’m so excited,” she beamed. “It is the biggest achievement in my golfing career so far and I’m beyond excited to get out there and represent my country.

“It means a lot to retain my title,” she continued after Sunday’s Welsh win. “It’s good to be playing well so close to the Curtis Cup and I’m looking forward to putting in a good month’s prep for it.

“This week my short game was good and I hit the ball really well. I felt in control.”

Next up for Olivia is the Irish Women’s Close from 12th to 15th May before the Curtis Cup from 10th to the 12th June.

The Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Darren Causby congratulated the local star: “I’m delighted for Olivia” he said. “She’s an excellent ambassador for golf, Northern Ireland and of course her family.

“This latest selection means she’ll be competing in amateur golf at the highest level and I look forward to the outcome of this amateur Ryder Cup.”