Mehaffey reaches final four of Amateur British Open at Portstewart

The 17 year-old was the last standing Irish golfer at Portstewart in another impressive week’s action.

She qualified for the match-play stages in 20th place, adding a second round one under par 72 to her opening 74 to leave her at level par for the two qualifying rounds.

Olivia continued her sterling form into the match-play stages, thrashing English girl Lianna Bailey five and four in the final 64.

She then helped to end England’s hopes of victory by seeing off their joint last remaining player Elizabeth Prior two and one.

Local hopes were beginning to dream that Olivia could add to her Irish girls, Welsh Ladies and Scottish Ladies titles when she saw off Swedish player Madelene Sagstrom two up to reach Friday afternoon’s quarter-finals. Maddie Szeryk lay in wait and she pushed the local girl close but ultimately was beaten on the 18th.

In the semi-finals, Olivia was drawn to face Linnea Strom, who had collapsed in the final round of the Helen Holm Scottish Open Strokeplay Championship in April to allow Mehaffey to win.

She certainly got her revenge this time out, romping to a five and four victory to end Ireland’s hopes of a home winner.

Strom, however, fell at the final hurdle, seen off four and three by French girl Celine Boutier.