Keighley Seals Finals Spot

Huddersfield’s Alex Keighley revealed her satisfaction at booking her place in next month’s Glenmuir Women’s PGA Professional Championship – after getting in through the back door 12 months ago.

Keighley, a former England international and LET player, carded a two-over-par 74 at Cheshire’s Dunham Forest to lead home the seven qualifiers for the 36-hole championship at Dundonald Links, near Troon.

Joining Keighley at the venue over June 18 and 19 are 2005 champion Lysa Jones (The Oaks) and Ormskirk’s Alison Gray, who lifted the title in 2003 and 2004, after both finished a shot behind along with Emma Prentice (Gog Magog).

Also qualifying for the final were Maria Tulley (West Cornwall) and Gillian Stewart following four-over-par 76s with Walmley’s Rebecca Wright claiming the final place at five-over.

That meant disappointment for 2007 champion Catherine Panton-Lewis (The Berkshire) as she missed out on automatic qualification and competing in her native Scotland by one shot after carding a six-over-par 78. Panton-Lewis is first reserve.

As for Keighley, she was more than delighted with her performance given it was her first competitive outing of the season.

“I didn’t play too badly though I left a few shots out there and could’ve been four or five shots better off,” she said.

“But it’s the start of the season and my first competitive round of the year so I’m very pleased.

“I wanted to play in a couple of big events this year and I’m glad to have qualified by rights as I got in at Moortown last year as a reserve.”

Keighley went on to finish sixth at Moortown, with the championship won by Devon’s Tracy Loveys after the 36 holes were condensed into one day after rain washed out the opening day.