Behan shoots a 75 to go two shots clear

LILLIAN BEHAN has experienced enough ups-and-downs in her career to know that fairytales don't exist. But the Curragh player's performance in the first round of strokeplay qualifying in the Lancome Irish Ladies Close Championship over the tough parkland terrain at Tramore Golf Club yesterday was close enough to fantasy.

As a former British champion - a title she won in 1985 - and a prominent Curtis Cup player, Behan has experienced the highs of amateur golf.

However, a six-year spell on the professional circuit proved to be a chastening experience and, so, it was rather fitting that Behan should choose the occasion of her first national championship appearance in 10 years to let everyone know she is very much back on the amateur scene.

Just eight players managed to beat 80. And Behan did best of all. "It is great to be back among friends," said Behan, who shot a best-of-the-day level par 75 in the first round of qualifying, which left her two shots clear of Laytown's Carol Wickham

However, most of the "big guns" are comfortably placed to ensure their passage into the top 32 players who will survive to compete in the matchplay stages when the cut is made after today's second round of strokeplay. Only Denise McCarthy - who shot an 84 - appears to have a little battle on her hands.

Behan, though, was the player who stole all the thunder. After a somewhat meteoric rise to amateur stardom which included that British Amateur win, she embarked on an unsuccessful professional career before deciding to return to the amateur fold.

Since resuming competition last month, she has rediscovered all her old fire. Already, Behan has won the Heath and Curragh Scratch Cups and was ninth in the Hermitage Scratch Cup. "My target for the season was actually to win the Curragh Scratch Cup, and I have done that. I consider everything else to be a bonus," she said.

"I would also love to play for Ireland again, although there are a lot of good up-and-coming players around. Even to make the Leinster team would be great," she said.

With the 6,092 Par 75 course putting a premium on long irons and accuracy, many players struggled while the fast greens also caught out some competitors. Not Behan, though. And her drive over the drain at the 12th, which left her with a chip to 15 feet for birdie (bringing her back to one over), was indicative of how her big-driving was a considerable asset.

Behan also birdied the Par 5 14th to go back to level par and, after a good sand save at the 15th, she covered the closing three holes in regulation.

Wickham, her closest rival for the Leitrim Cup which is awarded to the leading qualifier, played solidly and reached the turn in one over par 39. The homeward journey proved to be more eventful, featuring three birdies, a double bogey and two bogeys.

Defending champion Eileen Rose Power shot a five over par 80.

Ada O'Sullivan shot 78 and was joined on that mark by Laura Webb, who won the title when the championship was last staged here in 1988, and Barbara Hackett, while Leinster champion Susanne Fanagan, local favourite Catherine Bird and Hazel Kavanagh all shot 79.

Mary McKenna, the eight times Irish champion and current Leitrim Cup holder, and last year's finalist Sheena O'Brien-Kenney are among a six-strong group on 81. McKenna has shrugged off a recent back injury and, despite two uncharacteristic double bogeys on her card, is comfortably placed to reach the matchplay stages.