By Joe Robinson, Golf WA

Kirsten Rudgeley continues to blaze an outstanding trail for female golfers.

The Mt Lawley powerhouse cemented her position as one of the top amateur golfers - female or male - in Western Australia at the weekend by making it through to the match play rounds of the City of Perth Amateur.

With Covid-19 restrictions limiting interstate playing opportunities for the state's leading amateurs, host Royal Perth opened entries to women in an historic first.

And Rudgeley was quick to cash in, finishing sixth among the qualifiers to advance to next weekend's knockout phase with rounds of 73-71.

Rudgeley has had few competitive opportunities since winning the Amateur Championship of Western Australia in mid-March, but the dogged right-hander wasted no time slotting back into tournament mode.

“It’s awesome to be back playing. I was getting so bored just spending 6-7 hours practising all day and I’m grateful Royal Perth opened entries to women this year,” Rudgeley said.

The multiple WA state representative is no stranger to teeing it up alongside the men and last year made history by becoming the first female to make the cut at the prestigious WA Open.

Playing off the back tees might daunt some, but Rudgeley kept her tactics simple.

“I just tried to hit it as hard and as far as I could and get a solid drive away. I putted really well which kept me in the hunt.”

Royal Perth golf manager Jacob Harris said: “It’s fantastic to have Kirsten qualify for the match play rounds and we wish her - and all other qualifiers - the best of luck this weekend.”

Rudgeley will face Graeme Antczak - one of only two Royal Perth players to advance - in the round of 16 on Saturday morning.

The other home club player to progress was Damien Scott, who will face the medallist, Joseph Owen, of Lake Karrinyup, who turned in qualifying rounds of 71-69. DETAILS