Roscommon golfer impresses at prestigious UK tournament 

Roscommon golfer Olivia Costello finished third at the R&A Girls’ U-16 Amateur Championship over the weekend.

Costello was just three strokes off France’s Louise Landgraf and England’s Charlotte Naughton, with Landgraf emerging victorious at Berkshire Golf Club after two play-off holes.

The Convent of Mercy student will take encouragement from finishing just behind two players who set a new 54-hole Championship record, bettering the six under par mark set back in 2019 as the pair shot -8.

Costello was 11th at this tournament last year when she finished seven strokes off the lead. This time around, she showed the progress she has made by finishing on -5.

The talented golfer, who has previously played at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, shot herself into contention as she resided in joint second place after an opening round 69. Landgraf sat just one shot ahead of Costello following the opening round as the French golfer produced a 68 after the opening 18 holes.

The second round proved vital as Landgraf produced a flawless round of 69, with only one player in the field bettering her display over the 18 holes last Saturday.

Costello shot a second round of 73, which saw her sit five strokes behind Landgraf heading into the third round.

The Roscommon golfer managed to close the gap in the final round as she produced a 72, finishing two strokes ahead of Léa Giron and Melliyal Schmitt to secure a top three finish.

As a result of finishing in the top four, Costello gained an exemption into the Girls’ Amateur Championship at Alwoodley in August.