Kelsey Bennett well placed in Belgium


Kelsey Bennett – during today’s second round – image Ladies European Tour 

New South Wales golfer, Kelsey Bennett, already in third place on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit in 2026, finds herself in outright second place and two shots from the leader after the second round of the Helencourt Women’s Open in Belgium.

Bennett, in her third season on the LET,  won earlier in the season in one of the Ladies European Tour events in Australia when she was successful at the Australian Women’s Classic in New South Wales and also recorded a runner-up finish in Morocco this season, but a second round of 67 has her two behind Spain’s Carolina Chacarra.

If the name Chacarra sounds familiar, it is perhaps because her brother Eugenio has won twice on the men’s European Tour (DP World Tour this season).

“It was really solid,” Bennett said after her round. “I rolled in some nice putts and am really looking forward to this weekend. There’s still lots of golf to play out there. It was really tough out there yesterday. I was level-par through nine, then managed to squeeze a few in at the end. I definitely have a lot more confidence now I’ve won on tour.”

Bennett led this event after the opening round twelve months ago, so this is a venue that clearly fits the 26-year old’s eye.

Leaderboard 

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12 Australasians get their chance at US Senior Open


Scott Hend – may well be a factor given his good play in 2026 and a solid debut in the event last year – image PGA of America

Undoubtedly the flagship event of the PGA Tour Champions, the US Senior Open, gets underway on Thursday at the Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, the event carrying a purse of US$4 million, the richest purse on the PGA Tour Champions schedule.

Ten Australians and two New Zealanders get their chance to become just the second Australasian to win the title following the victory by Graham Marsh in 1997.

A field of 156 from an original entry of around 3000 has made it through the event over a layout steeped in American golfing history, with Bobby Jones having won the US Open in 1926, and where the US Senior Open is being held for the third occasion.

In Alphabetical order, the 12 Australasians in this week’s field are Steve Alker, Steve Allan, Stuart Appleby, David Bransdon, Michael Campbell, Greg Chalmers, Richard Green, Scott Hend, Mark Hensby, Brendan Jones, Cameron Percy and Michael Wright.

Defending champion and two time winner, Padraig Harrington, will likely start favourite for the event, although Stewart Cink, who finished runner-up last year and who has been a standout on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026, will have his followers, as will Steve Stricker, who in four starts in the event has won, been runner-up twice and finished 4th on the other occasion.

Steve Alker gets the nod amongst the Australasians, although in four starts his best has been when 6th last year. Mark Hensby finished tied for 4th last year after leading at various stages, Scott Hend could make his presence felt now that he is firmly ensconced on the PGA Tour Seniors, and with a win to his name in 2026, and Richard Green finished 3rd two years ago.

Tee Times / Leaderboard

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