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Walton Heath 2023
10 August 2023
Ally Ewing
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Overnight leader feeling at home in British conditions
Ally Ewing is a long way from Mississippi but the overnight leader at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open feels right at home in British conditions.
The 30-year-old finished in a share of ninth at last week’s Scottish Open and built on that on the opening day at a sun-drenched Walton Heath, compiling a four-under round of 68 which left her a shot clear of five players.
The majority of those on her coattails were morning starters but Ewing’s afternoon surge showcased the benefit of her preparation and ensured she will lead the pack when she heads out for her second round at 8.47am on Friday.
“We are a little bit inland here in Surrey, but regardless, European golf is different,” Ewing said.
“You use I think a little bit more creativity, imagination, different shot selections.
“It was good for me to go challenge myself with that test of golf at Dundonald, and, yeah, it made me feel really prepared.
“I've played really solid golf, finished with a top 10. So that's also a really good feeling coming into the major.
“Last week at the Scottish, I dealt with a pretty decent amount of wind. I had a pretty tough wave I think in terms of the weather conditions on Thursday.
“I was expecting wind. When you come to Europe, you expect wind. So it's not like a shock to the system or anything.
“But, yeah, getting around in four-under, regardless of the conditions, I'm very happy.”
Ewing has a consistent record at the AIG Women’s Open, making the cut on five of her previous six appearances.
She is yet to better the tied 16th place she managed on debut at Kingsbarns in 2017 and though her first round, which included five birdies and an eagle at 16, has made that a distinct possibility, Ewing is not getting ahead of herself.
“It's great to put a good first round together, but major championship golf, you can never really lose focus,” she said.
“So I'll get some food and get a good night's sleep and come back and take on the next day.
“I definitely had an intention to be patient. But I also wanted to go out and take care of my business, focus on what I could.
“And, you know, I set myself a little bit of a target to finish in the top 30 or better in the first round. Although this is probably conservative, I feel like it gives myself a chance. That's kind of just what I had in mind, going into a major.
“That doesn't mean that the top 30 is where I'm trying to shoot for but at least that's where I was wanting to be.
“I am definitely happy to be in the lead at this time.”
