Brilliant weekend sees Kildare's Lauren Walsh into top 25 at 2026 Women's Irish Open

A smiling Lauren Walsh acknowledges the supporting crowd after her par on the 9th Hole in Round 3 to stay at three under par (-3) at the 2026 KPMG Women's Irish Open from the K-Club South Course | SEAN BRILLY

placeholder image — A smiling Lauren Walsh acknowledges the supporting crowd after her par on the 9th Hole in Round 3 to stay at three under par (-3) at the 2026 KPMG Women's Irish Open from the K-Club South Course | SEAN BRILLY

Walsh put in an outstanding -5 round on Saturday and a -3 round on the final day to further move up the final standings and finished second of the Irish contingent

Kildare’s Lauren Walsh finished joint 24th, alongside Spanish golfer Blanca Fernandez, in the 2026 KPMG Women's Irish Open after brilliant rounds on Saturday and Sunday shot her up the final leaderboard.

The Kildare woman finished second among the Irish contenders with Leona Maguire nearest to tournament victory; finishing five off South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, who lifted the trophy.

The Kill golfer was even par headed into the weekend after she had clawed back to level following her +2 (74) score in the opening round. Walsh put in an outstanding -5 round on Saturday and a -3 round on the final day to further move up the final standings after finding her form at The K Club in the back half of the tournament.

Anna Foster (-6), Aine Donegan (-4) and Annabel Wilson (-2) completed the set of five Irish golfers, from an original field of 16, to finish in the top 50 on Sunday’s final leaderboard.

Ahead of the tournament, Walsh spoke about her 2026 on the LPGA tour: “It's been good. There's been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of challenges, a lot of rewards. It's been a big learning process. I've learned a lot about myself and myself as a golfer as well. I made a couple of tweaks to get myself in better positions out there and then had a good result, which was nice to see things come together,” Walsh explained.

“We're just hanging in there, staying patient, because the game has been close. It's just kind of trying to piece it all together. So overall, lots of positives, which has been nice.”

It’s been a hectic spell for the tour rookie but she says that support from everyone at home has kept her energy high and added, “A lot of my family will be out (at the Irish Open), I think on Thursday for sure. They are teachers, so some of them are back in school on Friday. But a lot of my friends are coming and extended family. It'll be nice to have a lot of familiar faces in the crowds.”