Ellie Ewing leads the Women's Open at Walton Heath. Photo: Getty Images/David Cannon
Oh my God, there are two of them. Like Brian Harman, Ellie Ewing is in fifth place at the halfway point of the British Major. Like Harman, Ewing is 10 short after two rounds. Like Harman, Ewing is stalked by a local pet. And just like Harman, Ewing is from the Deep South and loves to hunt.
Ewing, of course, hopes to emulate Harman and win his first major tournament here at the AIG Women's Open on Sunday and so on. in this form, not even a Charlie Hull-inspired one could stop her.
Given the similarities between the couple and their problems, it's no surprise that Ewing is determined to follow Harman's example, who lifted a Claret Jug 200 miles north three weeks ago from the wasteland of Surrey.
“It’s pretty cool, he’s also a Southerner, just a few states away from me in Georgia,” said Ewing, No. 39 in the world. “What Brian did inspired a little Mississippi girl like me. You know, he had people who cheered for other players, and I can confirm that. They have a lot in common and I hope I can emulate him.”
Inevitably, the bloodsport connection will claim headlines. While Harman revealed his penchant for shooting pigs and turkeys, the Ewings prefer larger game. “My husband and I, we mainly hunt deer, so venison,” she said.
Ewing is aware of the negativity that Harman has drawn to explain his passion. «I think people can certainly turn it the wrong way,» she said. “This remedy is there … so you put food on the table.”
It is extremely unlikely that the 30-year-old Ewing will have to deal with the same level of vitriol. Earlier this week, Harman revealed that he felt compelled to evict viewers. “The weekend was hard for me,” he said in an interview. “On Sunday, one guy followed me from sixth to tenth place, shouting: “You will suffocate!” whenever I got over the ball. He started doing it on my swing, which meant he had to leave.»
Ewing looks like he's giving up Charlie's pet. Hull Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Redington
The Walton Heath fans seem to be a quieter and more respectful group. Of course, Ewing's hitting the ball deserves every decibel of applause. The two-time Solheim Cup star, who played under his maiden name McDonald in the last two years of duels, has 12 birds and one eagle so far, and this six-man under-66 player is Man of the Day by two shots. And while not everyone approves of her hobby, Ewing is an undoubted role model for a diabetic.
“I found out I had type 1 right after I qualified at the Tour school [in 2015],” she said. “So this is a battle in itself. I have to carry a device that tells me my blood sugar and if it drops, I have a six ounce bottle of Gatorade in my bag. When he falls, I suddenly feel trembling and very tired. It's tough, but the technology is far advanced.»
As a three-time LPGA Tour winner, Ewing is well-placed to be another leader who is dragging on until the end, though 27-year-old Hull will be a sure-footed pursuer.
The world No. 16's own rating of 68, bringing her down by five to level with fellow American Andrea Lee and Japan's Minami Katsu, was drawn up under more difficult midday conditions. The fact that her scorecard had no bogey made her stand out in the gusts of wind and squalls.Tommy Fleetwood couldn't track down the hunter in Hoylake, but Hull looks ready. «It's a great result for Ellie, but it's all good now,» Hull said. «Just chase her.»
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