Amateur Carolina Melgrati cannot quite believe she is playing in the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed, let alone contending at the top of the leaderboard.
The 19-year-old qualified for the tournament after finishing T4 at last week’s Ladies Italian Open and didn’t hesitate when she was asked if she wanted to play.
An opening round of 65 (-7) saw Melgrati hold a share of the lead overnight alongside Scotland’s Craig Howie, France’s Matthieu Pavon and Spain’s Santiago Tarrio.
The Italian was in the first group out on the second day and proved that her first round wasn’t a flash in the pan, as she carded a 69 (-3) to set the early clubhouse lead of 10-under-par.
“I don’t know any adjective to describe this feeling! It’s great and it’s unbelievable,” said the University of Arizona freshman. “I think it’s just the result of working hard.”
The Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed is a co-sanctioned event between the LET and DP World Tour and it sees 78 men and 78 women playing for the same prize fund of US $2 million and one trophy.
And the youngster is seemingly unphased by competing alongside professionals of the game including Swedish legends Henrik Stenson and Annika Sörenstam.
She added: “It has been great. I’m excited and I just want to keep going. I can’t wait to play tomorrow! I love playing, so that’s my dream.”
At the time of writing, Melgrati sits in second place alongside two-time LET winner and home favourite Linn Grant on 10-under with Australia’s Jason Scrivener in the lead on 12-under.
Having rolled in 10 birdies and an eagle in 36 holes of golf, the Milan native admitted that she is putting better than normal at Halmstad Golf Club.
“I am putting better than usual, I just changed it this week,” she said. “I went from a Scotty Cameron to an Odyssey. The feelings with it are great.
“My strength is my long game mainly. I usually don’t putt this well, but during this tournament I’m feeling my putter in a better way.”
And having already produced two excellent rounds of golf, you’d imagine some nerves might be creeping in with the weekend.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth and Melgrati is raring to get going again on Saturday for the third round.
She added: “I will just try this weekend. If it goes great, then great! But if it doesn’t, there’s always next time. I will try to keep calm and hit one shot at a time.”
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #ScandinavianMixed.
