England’s Hannah Screen holds a one-shot lead at the 36-hole mark of the 2024 Tipsport Czech Ladies Open.
The LET rookie sat in a share of fifth place overnight after firing a 67 (-5) in the first round at Royal Beroun Golf Club.
Screen followed it up with a bogey-free 68 (-4) on day two rolling in birdies on the first, second, seventh and 15th holes to sit at the top of the leaderboard on nine-under-par.
“I’m really happy with my round, the wind was definitely a lot stronger today, so I’m really happy with how I adjusted,” said Screen. “My course management in the wind was very good.
“I picked some really good clubs and just swung really freely and tried not to think about it too much. It’s my first time in Czechia, I’m liking it so far and I’m going into Prague this afternoon to do a bit of sightseeing, I’m excited for that.
“I just stayed really patient in the wind, it was really tough and some of the holes were playing so different, but I just tried to keep my rhythm in the wind. I know that for me personally, that’s where I can go wrong, and I can lose it a little bit. I’m really happy with how I stayed patient.
“It’s almost just getting in a rhythm and realising it is your job now. You start to realise your ability, that you’re here for a reason and you have made it here for a reason. Those are things that I’ve been focussing on the last few weeks and trying to be patient.
“I have made quite a few cuts but maybe not finished it off as well, so hopefully this week I can have a good finish.”
A trio of players sit in a share of second place with Spain’s Marta Martin, Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and Wales’ Chloe Williams all on eight-under-par.
The Spanish player followed up her opening round of 69 (-3) with a 67 (-5) that included one bogey and six birdies.
“It was fun out there, very windy but we got a good round in there today,” said Martin. “The wind was a challenge, some of the holes played very differently.
“I started with an almost hole-in-two on the first hole, then we went for it on number two making sure we were taking advantage of the helping wind. On the par-5, I went for it in two and we were very close to making an eagle. On nine, it was a seven-metre putt.
“Two of the birdies I made were long putts which I was missing, I normally make one or two long putts in my round and that really helps, and today that happened. I’m happy overall because I had been struggling lately with making birdies.
“At the past few tournaments, I was making one or two birdies per round, seeing that I was able to make more yesterday and today was good for me.
“Sticking to the gameplan I have, I think when you put yourself in the position of being in the last groups on the last day, I think the most important thing to do is enjoy. That’s going to be the main two goals for tomorrow.”
Seven-time LET winner Hedwall shot a bogey-free 65 on the first day and followed that up with a 71 (-1) on day two.
The Solheim Cup star made one mistake with a double bogey on the sixth but rolled in birdies on the second, seventh and 15th holes to reach a total of eight-under-par.
Hedwall explained: “I think I adjusted quite well with the wind, I still hit a lot of solid golf shots. It played a little longer because it was wet from the rain last night. I just tried to play good golf and I think I did.
“It was just unfortunate with that double; it was one bad swing and it cost me a double. Anyhow I’m pleased with my position coming into tomorrow and we’ll see what happens.
“That’s what you train for, I’m looking forward to it tomorrow. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster this season and I haven’t played the way I wanted to but like I said yesterday, I switched to my old irons.
“I feel like I’m finding my game and I’m hitting good golf shots. I’m just trying to enjoy myself and it will be good fun to just try to play for the win tomorrow.”
Williams, who held the lead after the first round, had a trickier day shooting a 73 (+1) which included four birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey.
“The course played so differently today, the wind was in a different direction,” said Williams. “It’s always hard to follow something so low yesterday. I got it going nicely and then had a bit of a blip in the middle which cost me a little bit.
“My dream is always to come from behind and I’m looking forward to being in and amongst it and just seeing what I can post tomorrow and try and win from behind.
“I don’t think I could ever do this without my dad here because it’s so tough on your own. You always need someone to keep you composed especially coming down the stretch.
“Even from the off just sticking to the gameplan and the strategy. It’s clearly been working; I just need to trust my processes tomorrow and what will be will be.”
Spain’s Mireia Prat sits in outright fifth place on seven-under-par after a second round of 69 (-3) in Beroun.
Six players are in a tie for sixth place with Spain’s Maria Hernandez, Czechia’s Sara Kouskova, Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom, Austria’s Emma Spitz, England’s Hannah Burke and India’s Vani Kapoor all on six-under-par.
The cut fell at even par with 68 players making it through to the final day of competition. Round three will begin at 8.45 am (local time) with the leaders going out at 10.46 am (local time).
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