Heather MacRae is latest Scot to shine in Rose Ladies Series

Debut produces tie for second at JCB Golf & Country Club
Heather MacRae was making her first appearance in the Rose Ladies Series, set up by Olympic champion Justin and his wife KateHeather MacRae was making her first appearance in the Rose Ladies Series, set up by Olympic champion Justin and his wife Kate
Heather MacRae was making her first appearance in the Rose Ladies Series, set up by Olympic champion Justin and his wife Kate

Heather MacRae said she was delighted to become the latest Scot to shine in the company of major winners and Solheim Cup starts on the new Rose Ladies Series in England.

On her debut, the Dunblane woman finished in a tie for second behind England's Gabriella Cowley in the latest event at JCB Golf and Country Club in Staffordshire.

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MacRae, who won a battle with cancer last year, shot a one-under-par 71 as she produced a brave bid to complete a Scottish hat-trick after Gemma Dryburgh's back-to-back wins over the previous fortnight.

Dryburgh was an absentee on this occasion, having headed to the US earlier in the week to prepare for the LPGA Tour restarting at the end of the month.

"It was really nice to have a good result in such a strong field," admitted MacRae. "It’s difficult to know what to expect after such a long break.

"But my coach, Craig Lee, kept telling me I was swinging really well and playing well, so that gave me some confidence, too."

The reigning Women's PGA champion was level-par through 10 holes before reeling off three birdies in a row but had to settle for one-under after dropping shots at the 16th and 18th.

Cowley also found the closing stretch tough, standing five-under on the 16th tee before taking a double-bogey 6 there then a 5 at the last.

MacRae finish in a group that included 2018 Women's British Open champion Georgia Hall and her Solheim Cup team-mate, Charley Hull.

"It's been a very strange couple of years with not a lot of golf being played, so I just absolutely love it when I get the chance to compete," admitted MacRae.

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"I am playing golf almost every day just now. I’m doing a lot of on course lessons at Muckhart Golf Club at the moment. It's very different to competing but at least I’m out there playing and helping others."

Hull's effort saw her jump above Dryburgh in the order of merit, with the Scot's campaign on the series now finished as she concentrates on the LPGA Tour.

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