Ursula Wikstrom, aged 44 and with over two decades of professional golf experience, is making a name for herself once again at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Despite competing in 342 previous tournaments without achieving champion status, the Finnish veteran appears to be drawn to the Irish Open where she has taken the lead at the halfway point of the latest contest.
Wikstrom began her professional career in 2004 and she has eagerly participated in every Ladies European Tour event since, although a victory has perpetually eluded her, thereby leaving her victory list without a mark.
In the revived Irish Open, held two years ago after a ten-year hiatus, Wikstrom neared the finish line in a three-way playoff at Dromoland Castle but was bested by Klara Spilkova, a disappointing result that echoed previous defeats.
This time around, Wikstrom seems undeterred as she stands with a lead of 10-under-par 136 after the second round, arising from consecutive scores of 68. Her performance on the O’Meara course at Carton House near Maynooth places her one point ahead of her closest rival, Luna Sobron Galmes from Spain, with a group of three competitors hot on her heels.
The leaderboard remains tightly contested, and with the weekend weather forecast predicting more sunshine, Wikstrom’s competitors will be nurturing their hopes of victory. Annabel Dimmock, included in this chasing pack, has already made her intent clear with a score of 66 that saw her ascend the rankings. Observers anticipate other players will be similarly inspired to produce low scores in pursuit of the title.
The Solheim Cup competitors participating in the field are among those attempting to catch up in their final tournament before their confrontation with the U.S. team in Virginia, set to occur in a fortnight. Leona Maguire had a bit of a hard time with the putter, ending with a 72-metal addition to her initial 70, leading to a total of 142 and landing her six shots in the rear. Meanwhile, accomplished player Georgia Hall, who recorded no bogeys on her tally, scored a 69 and reached the same 142 standing.
Maguire expressed her disoriented state pertaining to the slow place of the play, “Honestly, I was taken aback to a large extent that we didn’t receive a clock following the front nine. We’ve been lagging greatly for the day and even yesterday. However, you aim to take a single shot at a time while maintaining friendly banter with my caddie, Verners, in an attempt to preserve some semblance of rhythm. But one can’t deny the slow atmosphere.”
Regrettably, for most of the home entrants, disappointment was the prime sentiment, as only Maguire and the young amateur Anna Abom made it through the cut that lay on a flat-par 146. Lauren Walsh and newcomer Anna Foster, along with amateur Olivia Costello were some of the players unfortunate enough to find themselves on the unfavourable side of the cut line with 147, regretfully missing the cut by a mere stroke.
Wikstrom’s round, graced with seven birdies and a pair of bogeys in her 68 run, made the best use of the morning session when the breeze was but a whisper, and sunlight adorned the clear blue canopy.
In the past, the concept of victory and its implications were central to Wikstrom’s golfer psyche. However, the 21 years of relentless pursuit harboured life lessons of its own. “I daresay I have outgrown that phase,” says Wikstrom when talking about the lack of pressure that once existed, “I am mature and experienced enough now. There were numerous episodes when the longing for it functioned as an obstacle, and there was a high likelihood that my desire was overly intense. Yet, at present, I feel a sense of elevation from that mindset.”
She added, giving context: “I’ve endured the test of time. All I’ve done for 21 years is play golf, managing to support myself and my family. Even though I haven’t always been at the pinnacle, I don’t think too many people in this line share my ability to retire at my current age, so this is where I stand.”
Wikstrom, above all others, is an athlete who is focused on maintaining presence in the game, rather than getting carried away by fanciful ideas. It brings him joy to be an active participant during the weekend. The tournament’s end is still two days away, but he relishes being in such a place. This is a new experience for him! Only time will tell if he’ll find himself in a similar position in the future.