The Scotsman

Thomson has Dons on her mind as she sets early pace

- Martin Dempster

Chatting about her beloved Aberdeen FC between shots helped Michele Thomson set the clubhouse lead in the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España before heavy rain halted play on the opening day of the LET’S final event of the season at La Quinta.

Thomson posted a threeunder-par 68, which was later matched by Dutchwoman Annevandam,asthe30-yearold Scot got off to the start she was looking for after heading into the event needing a good performanc­e to retain her card for next season.

Thomson sits 80th on the money list, which is just inside the cut-off, but three more days of how she played in the first circuit in the £270,000 event and she certainly won’t have to worry about paying a visit to the Qualifying School in Morocco next month.

Out in the first match, Thomson followed a birdie from close range at the opening hole by chipping in on the fourth then adding another birdie at the long eighth to make the turn in three-under 33.

Although she doubleboge­yed the 14th, the former policewoma­n recovered well with back-to-back birdies at the next two holes before closing with a brace of pars to round off a good morning’s work in testing conditions.

“I’m just trying to enjoy the week and not really think about the pressure,” admitted Thomson, who picked up two medals – one silver and one bronze – in the inaugural

MICHELE THOMSON European Golf Team Championsh­ips at Gleneagles in August but had been frustrated with her results in three subsequent events.

Referring to the fact she’s managed only one top-20 finish in 11 previous outings on the LET this season, she added: “I know that I’m a better player than how I’ve played this year, so I want to go out and prove to myself that I can do it.”

Caddying for Thomson this week is her older brother, Mark, and, in addition to knowing how the course was playing after having a game there himself two weeks ago, he also helped by instigatin­g the chat about the Dons.

“We are just having a fun week,” declared Thomson. “The course also suits me and it’s a little bit wet out there, so, being from Scotland, I’m used to that!

“I struck my irons really well and the greens were receptive, so I played to the number and holed quite a lot of good putts.

“The greens are really good and really quick, so I’ve been concentrat­ing on that and not getting too greedy.

“The course is playing quite long. It’s getting it into your head that you need to hit more club than you think. It is playing longer and the ground is quite heavy. It’s really wet and putting the ball in position is important. It was disappoint­ing to have a double bogey but other than that I’ve played really well.”

On a day when only half the field of 96 players had completed 18 holes when play was suspended – Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew, pictured, and LPGA card holder Gemma Dryburgh had only played four and seven holes respective­ly – Van Dam was also happy with her day’s work. The 23-year-old from Arnhem is bidding for a second win of the season on 2 Michele Thomson found the wet conditions to her liking as she got off to an impressive start in what is a key event for her. Spanish soil after landing the Estrella Damm Mediterran­ean Ladies Open in Sitges, near Barcelona, two months ago.

“I started with a bogey after I hit a poor shot from the middle of the fairway, but after that it was solid, a lot of fairways, greens and birdie chances,” she said. “It’s a tricky golf course. I don’t use my driver that much on this course. It’s all about position and hitting the right spots.” England’s Liz Young was sharing the lead after nine holes when play was suspended, while European No 1 Georgia Hall and defending champion Azahara Muñoz were both on twounder-par after five holes. Carly Booth finished on oneover, a shot better than Kelsey Macdonald.

“I’m trying not to think about the pressure. I know I’m a better player than I’ve shown, soiwanttog­ooutand prove I can do it”

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