Mediterranean swims help Kelsey MacDonald share lead in Spain

Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to relax helped Kelsey MacDonald set the pace in the Estrella Damm Ladies Open in Spain.

Kelsey MacDonald finds something amusing during the first round of the Estrella Damm Ladies Open. Picture: Tristan Jones/LET

The 30-year-old Scot opened with a four-under-par 68 at Catalunya at Glub de Golf Terramar in Sitges to share the lead with Swaziland’s Nobuhle Dlamini.

MacDonald mixed five birdies with a bogey in her round and said: “I’m really happy. I played some good golf out there in good conditions, with a good group.

“It was just solid from tee to green. I had a bad swing on four and put it into the water on my approach, and you are looking to birdie that hole, so that was disappointing. Other than that, I played really well.”

MacDonald recorded a top-10 finish in this event two years ago and revealed daily dips in the

Mediterranean was part of her recipe for success.

“I’ve got good feels around here,” she added. “It’s a beautiful place and I’ve been in the sea every day, pretty much.

“I’m using the sea as rest and recovery, before and after my tee times.”

On a good day for the Scots, Heather MacRae, Michele Thomson and Kylie Henry all carded 71s while Laura Murray had a 72.

Elsewhere, Alejandro Del Rey made professional golf history at the Swiss Challenge, carding a 14 under par round of 58 – the lowest-ever score to par on a major golf tour.Del Rey joins Jim Furyk (PGA Tour, 2016), Stephan Jäger (Korn Ferry Tour, 2016), Ryo Ishikawa (Japan Golf Tour, 2010) and Kim Seong-hyeon (Japan Golf Tour, 2021) in shooting 58 but all of their rounds were 12 under par on par-70 courses.

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