Just months into her rookie year on the Ladies European Tour, Sara Byrne is quickly finding her footing — and she’s part of a wave of Irish talent.

Speaking to Sport for Business ahead of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Carton House, and as part of RTÉ Sport’s launch of it’s TV coverage of the tournament, the Cork native reflected on her whirlwind start to professional golf, the camaraderie of Ireland’s rising stars, and why this week on home soil feels like a major.

“Straight Into the Deep End”

“My pro career kind of kicked off immediately,” Byrne says with a smile. “I secured my tour card at the end of December, and by the first week of February, I was flying to Morocco for my debut event.”

Since then, it’s been a crash course in global travel, tournament prep, and navigating life on the road. “It’s definitely been a big learning curve,” she admits. “But playing golf for a living? You won’t catch me complaining.”

One of the most striking developments on the LET in recent years has been the emergence of Irish women at the top level — and Byrne is proud to be part of it.

“Each week now, there are usually five or six Irish players in the field. A few years ago, that just wasn’t the case,” she says. Alongside names like Lauren Walsh, Annabel Wilson, and Olivia Mehaffey, Byrne has found both support and inspiration.

“We travel together, room together, and even try to get on the same flights. It makes a huge difference seeing familiar faces in the players’ lounge.”

There’s no group chat yet — “but maybe I should start one,” she laughs.

A Generation in the Making

This current surge isn’t by chance. “We’ve all come through the junior ranks together,” Byrne explains. “Since we were 11 or 12, we were competing seriously. I must have played Beth Coulter in finals six times growing up.”

She credits Ireland’s strong amateur tournament structure as a significant factor: “We had such a great circuit to learn from. That really prepared us for the step up.”

Last year, Byrne had to skip the KPMG Women’s Irish Open — for good reason. “I was playing in the Curtis Cup, and I went undefeated. That week was a dream.”

It also marked a turning point. “It was the perfect send-off from my amateur career and gave me huge confidence going pro.”

Now, she’s excited for a long-awaited home debut as a professional at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.

All Eyes on Carton House

“I’ve played Carton House so many times through the Golf Ireland Academy. It’s not my home course, but it really feels like it.”

Byrne knows what’s required. “The winning score last year was 19 under — crazy low. But golf rarely goes to plan. You just try to stay in the moment and not force anything.”

Her preference? A tougher challenge. “I actually like harder courses. I tend to play better when you need to think your way around.”

It’s not just the golf — it’s the atmosphere.

“The Irish Open honestly feels like a major for us. The crowds, the setup — it’s unlike anything else we get during the season,” she says. “Players on tour talk about it all year. It’s been voted best tournament multiple times.”

Expect the Douglas Golf Club faithful to show up in style. “They travelled in busloads to England for Curtis Cup. I think Dublin might be an easier trip,” she jokes.

As Byrne tees it up this week at Carton House, she’ll do so not just as a promising rookie — but as a proud representative of a new era in Irish women’s golf.

“This is what we all dreamed of as kids,” she says. “Now it’s happening — and it’s only just beginning.”

 

Business of Golf Event

 

 

Sport for Business is hosting our second annual Business of Golf event at Carton House on the morning of Tuesday, July 1st, followed by an exclusive golf experience at the Golf Ireland Academy.

We will gather at the prestigious Carton House, a Fairmont Managed Hotel, from 10 AM with a series of conversations taking place from 1030 to 1230 and then a walk around to the Academy for a session in the bays and on the green with Golf Ireland’s world-leading coaches.

 

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WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Sport for Business is in planning for major events bringing together leaders in Irish Sport and Business across a range of subjects in the second half of the year.

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