LISA MAGUIRE swept to the top of the leaderboard in the European Women’s Individual Amateur Championship in the Netherlands yesterday.
The 16-year-old from Cavan produced a stunning finish to her second round to go clear.
She fired three birdies in the final six holes to post a brilliant, four-under-par 68 for an aggregate of 141, three below par.
It was the lowest round of the tournament over the Noordwijkse course and put her in pole position to challenge for the crown over the next two days.
Maguire, who was surprisingly only first reserve for the Vagliano Trophy team last month, is three strokes clear of Perrine Delacour of France.
“It was one of those days when nearly everything worked,” said the international, who started the day two strokes off the pace.
Twin Leona returned a 75 for a 148 aggregate and is the next best Irish player.
Elsewhere, in the European Young Masters at the Royal Balaton Club in Hungary, Paul McBride is tied for 12th after a opening 78, seven strokes off the pace. Luke Woods is three strokes farther back.
In the girls event, Olivia Mehaffey and Hannah Henderson are well down the field with scores of 84 and 87 respectively in their first rounds.