Lisburn girl Paula’s shared third place slot in Stroke Play

SCOTLAND’S Hannah McCook claimed her second successive Irish Women’s Open Stroke Play title at Co Louth Golf Club yesterday.

The overnight leader, who began the day one shot ahead of Romy Meekers (Netherlands), posted a final round 73 (-1) to win by two shots.

“This is very weird. I’m not quite sure what’s happening. To have won one was amazing but to now have two, wow,” said Hannah who also secured the Welsh Strokeplay title last week.

Meekers finished alone in second with Ebonie Lewis (England) and Lisburn’s Paula Grant (below) sharing third, five shots back.

Playing in the final group alongside Meekers and Lewis, McCook stretched her advantage early with birdies on the first and sixth.

Making the turn with a two shot lead over Meekers, Hannah saw her tee shot on the par 5 11th find one of Co. Louth’s newly redesigned pot bunkers, the resulting bogey narrowed her lead to one but the Scotswoman’s confidence is sky high and she kept her cool.

“I felt a lot more comfortable out there today, it was a different way to win having done it in a play off last week.

“So once I got off to a fast start and Romy struggled a small bit I just kept trying to make pars and not do anything too silly,” she said.

The English team of Caitlin Whitehead, Sophie Lamb and Ebonie Lewis won the International Team event