Alaina Sharp, the only Canadian to compete at the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland this week, didn’t get the start she hoped for on Thursday.

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The Hamilton native carded a 74 (+2) at Masserene Golf Club (MAS). After a nightmare first pennant, when she made a double bogey, Sharpe had a roller coaster day. She managed four birdies and as many bogeys.

It should be noted that this tournament is not the most conservative. Organized jointly by the DP World Tour, the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour, it is held over two courses. Thus, golfers also visit Galgom Castle Golf Club (GAL), alternating between rounds.

Note that MAS is typically 72 and GAL is suddenly higher. The event’s leader, American Amanda Doherty (-6), played her first round on this final course. Thus, she holds a one-shot lead over her two closest players, Emily Kristin Pederson and Lauren Coughlin, who visited the MAS first, even though they shot the ball 67 times on Thursday.

England’s Georgia Hall and Ireland’s Leona Maguire, who started the tournament at GAL, are part of the second-placed peloton at -5.