Vaudin slays record ahead of champs

The island player, who is still a relative novice and will be playing in the Silver Division competition for only the second time this week, carded a brilliant two-over-par 67 gross to break the women’s course record at La Grande Mare by an astonishing four shots when playing in the New Phase Stableford event.

Vaudin was particularly impressive on the front nine, carding three birdies including twos on the third and sixth holes as well as a four on the par-five eighth.

She reached the turn having taken just 32 shots - one under par. She then came back in 35 shots with six pars and three dropped shots on the inward nine.

‘I have been playing really well,’ Vaudin said.

‘I won the scratch prize last Tuesday [at the Royal] and have been having lessons with Lindsay [Boyd], so I have been feeling good about my game.

‘I obviously played nicely, but I did get the luck you need for a round like that too,’ she added modestly, specifying the third hole where her tee shot hit a tree before she chipped in for birdie. However, she was delighted with the patience she showed when she knew she was going well.

‘Usually I can be over aggressive, but I was sensible in my approach this time.

‘On the ninth, for example, I was in the rough and chose just to chip out and walked off with a bogey whereas I might sometimes try something and end up with a triple.’

Vaudin added that she tries not to count her scores, but she added that at the turn ‘I knew I was one under and got a bit excited’.

Vaudin’s previous best around La Grande Mare was 74. She admits that her new record comes at ‘a good time’.

‘I learnt golf on this course, so I am happy around here – I love this course,’ said Vaudin, who is down to a seven handicap.

‘That was my target. Now I want to get down to category one.’