Walsh makes Irish Open Cut and eyes weekend charge 

Although she finished with a double bogey at her final hole, the ninth, in Round 2 of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open at the K Club on Friday, a clutch of four birdies and a series of pars propelled Kildare's Lauren Walsh into the final two rounds of the 2026 tournament.

Playing the back nine in Round 1 on Thursday, the former Castlewarden golfer looked to be in serious trouble after a triple bogey at the 13th left her five over par for the day. However, a positive finish, featuring three birdies in her final five holes, left Walsh in prime position to make Friday evening's cut at two over par.

The 26-year-old Kill native continued that form in Round 2, carding four birdies and 13 pars. The only blemish on her scorecard came at her final hole, the ninth, where a bogey in Round 1 was followed by a double bogey on Friday. That left her level par for the tournament and safely inside the cut line.

Speaking afterwards to journalists, including The Kildare Nationalist, Walsh reflected on her round.

"I played really nicely today. I think I really only missed two greens and I gave myself a lot of chances. It could have been a really low one but I just couldn't get anything to drop on the front nine. I'm happy with how I played today and hopefully my game is in good shape come the weekend."

Commenting on her recovery from five over par during Thursday's round, the LPGA rookie said the local support had played a significant role.

"A huge thanks to everybody who has come out. As soon as the putt drops and hearing that crowd getting behind it, it definitely does mean a lot. Obviously playing on home soil, my family has been out the last couple of days.

"I had to dig deep after a couple of holes yesterday and then after making triple on the back nine. I knew a couple of birdies coming in yesterday would make my job a little easier today.

"I was happy to finish with three out of four yesterday and keep that momentum going today, with the exception of the last hole."

Walsh has made the cut for the first time in three years and is eager to make an impact alongside her fellow Irish players over the weekend.

"Hopefully a couple more of us will make the cut this weekend and hopefully more crowds can come in. It's a great event that they have put on and I just hope that we can push on for the crowd over the weekend."

Her run of seven under par across the 23 holes following Thursday's triple bogey at the 13th gave the Kildare golfer plenty of encouragement heading into the final two rounds.

"Absolutely," she said. "I had great intentions going out today. I had a fantastic nine yesterday. I didn't get the putter going, which happens as well. In general, my game is in a great space, driving the ball great. Hopefully my putter can heat up over the weekend."

Asked by The Kildare Nationalist whether she might stick around to help Kill in their Kildare LGFA Senior Championship quarter-final, Walsh laughed.

"No, my Gaelic football days are well and truly over. I'll stick to the golf for now, but I'm wishing them all the best."

Walsh will have more pressing matters on her mind when she tees off in Round 3 of the KPMG Women's Irish Open at 8.22am at the K Club on Saturday morning.

Other Irish competitors remaining in the field for the final two rounds include K Club touring professional Leona Maguire, along with Canice Screene, Áine Donegan and Anna Foster.

South Africa's Casandra Alexander continues to lead the tournament on 15 under par.