- Team Roussin-Bouchard win the Team competition with a score of -28
- Charley Hull holds a one-shot lead in the Individual competition
Team Roussin-Bouchard triumphed in the Team competition with a winning score of 28-under-par at the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Tampa.
The quartet of Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Celine Herbin, Meghan MacLaren and amateur LuJain Omar Khalil were co-leaders after the first round.
In strong wind conditions, the team were four-under through nine and then managed to go five-under through the next eight holes.
As they went down 18, Team Roussin-Bouchard were level on 27-under-par alongside Team Hull and Team Hewson – who were already in the clubhouse – and it all came down to Khalil’s putt on the last.
With a stroke on the final hole, the amateur was able to two-putt to win the Team competition and ensure captain Roussin-Bouchard defended her title.
Captain Roussin-Bouchard said: “It’s just amazing, it’s an amazing feeling. It was a grind out there with the wind. The fact it was all about those last two holes was very stressful. It’s a team effort. LJ got us very stressed on that last putt, but we’re proud of her and proud of the team.”
Herbin said: “I’m completely happy, it’s amazing. This was the first time I have been on the winning team, it’s lovely and everyone played quite well.”
MacLaren explained: “It’s amazing, I didn’t help the team particularly too much over these past two days, but to be part of it is incredible and even when you’re struggling to have people alongside you who are trying to lift you up means the world so thanks to everybody.”
Amateur Khalil, who is part of the winning team for the second time, added: “At some point today we had a dip in the score and that was because I was missing a lot of four and five-footers, so that one on 18 was a nerve-wreck.
“I’m happy it sunk! Pauline, Celine and Meghan have carried us throughout the round, they kept the vibe going. It’s always a pleasure being part of the team.”
Team Hull and Team Hewson ended the tournament on 27-under-par after they each had an excellent second day at Feather Sound Country Club.
The quartet of Alice Hewson, Emma Spitz, Hayley Davis and amateur Barry Hyde produced a final round of -12 to finish in T2.
“It’s been a really great two days; we had a fantastic team,” said Hewson. “Hayley is becoming a bit of specialist with the Aramco Team Series; she has a win and a few other top-three finishes under her belt. She played great yesterday and again today.
“Emma battled so hard and holed two amazing putts the last two holes to even get us in the position we were in where we were hoping for a playoff. Everyone contributed and did so well, it was so much fun playing with them, and Barry and he played great too.
“Stephen [her fiancé] doesn’t get to come to too many events, so for him to come down and he’s dragged another friend Daniel down from Charlotte too. We had everyone wearing pink as well, so we were all matching and it was great to have a team atmosphere out there and really rally the troops.”
Team Hull led by Charley Hull alongside Kelsey Macdonald, Pia Babnik and amateur Alexandra O’Laughlin had a phenomenal second day being 16-under-par to charge up the leaderboard.
Team Hedwall and Team Peláez Trivino finished in a share of fourth place on 25-under-par with Team Law in sixth on -24, while Team Thompson and Team Försterling were one shot further back.
In the Individual competition, it was England’s Hull who climbed to the top of the leaderboard after back-to-back rounds of 68 (-4) in Tampa.
The three-time LET winner went bogey-free on day two rolling in birdies on holes one, nine, 11 and 17.
Hull explained: “It was pretty windy, and it was actually pretty hard to club in, and putting was quite tricky as well, but I managed to hole a few clutch putts, so I was happy with that.
“I was expecting some nice weather, but it was quite tricky. I do enjoy playing in the wind and I do enjoy a bit of a challenge. I just focus on my own game, but I played with Pia and Kelsey today and Pia was pin seeking all day, she made a birdie on the last and I was happy for her.
“I am buzzing. Today has been a good Saturday so far, leading in the Individual and being up there in the Team and getting a personal best on my 5k run.”
Germany’s Alexandra Försterling and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda sit in a share of second place on the leaderboard on seven-under-par.
Two-time LET winner Försterling followed up her opening round of 67 (-5) with a 70 (-2) to put herself in contention for a third title.
“I would say I was really solid,” said the German. “With the wind, it was playing a lot tougher than yesterday, and you really had to grind those birdies. I played really steady, I had three birdies and one bogey which is overall really consistent.
“Depending on how the wind is, I’m guessing it’s going to be breezier than yesterday but hopefully less than today! I think I have a pretty good strategy for the course and I will just leave myself in good spots and get a couple of putts on the greens and have fun.”
Defending champion Ciganda produced a round of 71 (-1) which included four birdies and three bogeys to give herself a great chance of retaining her title.
“I think under-par is a good score today,” said Ciganda. “I knew if we were between seven and nine-under today, we would have a chance tomorrow. I tried to stay really patient out there, it was just hard to hit it close with the wind, but overall I’m pretty happy and excited for tomorrow.
“I saw Charley is up there and she is playing great, and she is a top-10 player in the world, so I’m going to have to push and make birdies because she’s going to make birdies. I like the challenge, I like playing against the best in the world and I’m ready to go out there tomorrow and try my best.”
Spain’s Ana Pelâez Trivino sits in outright fourth place on six-under-par after firing a round of 68 (-4) which included six birdies and two bogeys.
“I think I was really really patient,” said the Spaniard. “I started off the day with a birdie and a bogey and I told myself listen you’re going to have to be extra patient today and treat yourself with kindness because it’s going to be really tough out there.
“Obviously, it’s a course that you can shoot low but depending on the conditions, it can be really tough. That was the key to be patient.
“It’s difficult to stay patient especially based on my personality, it’s even tougher. I have to repeat to myself all the time and remind myself to be patient, you’re doing a good job. Enjoy it out there, bring the energy and everything will go along.
“I’m super excited, I love being in contention. I see that Carlota and Charley are up there and I really respect them and to me to see myself up there I’m really excited for tomorrow. I missed this feeling of being in contention.”
Ten players are in a share of fifth place in the Individual competition and they sit just three shots behind leader Hull.
There are four former Individual champions in the Aramco Team Series on five-under with Lexi Thompson, Manon De Roey, Pia Babnik and Roussin-Bouchard all nicely placed ahead of the final day.
The cut fell at +4 with 61 players making it through to the final day of competition. The third round will begin at 9.10 am (local time) with the leaders teeing off at 1.10 pm (local time) in Tampa.
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