England’s Charlotte Heath surged into a four-shot clubhouse lead after carding a brilliant seven-under-par 65 before darkness brought a premature end to the second round of the La Sella Open at 8.09pm.
After two weather-affected days in Spain, Heath moved to 11-under-par overall, putting herself firmly in contention heading into the weekend.
Play was suspended due to fading light following an earlier delay of one hour and 40 minutes caused by dangerous weather conditions. While the morning was disrupted, players who teed off later enjoyed far calmer conditions in the afternoon sunshine.
Heath produced one of the standout rounds of the week at La Sella Golf, reaching nine-under for her day through 12 holes and threatening the course record of 63. The 24-year-old opened with a sensational front nine of six-under-par 30, making six birdies before adding another at the 11th and an eagle at the par-five 12th.
Two late bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes slowed her momentum, but she remained delighted with her performance.
“I just played boring golf. Fairways and greens,” said Heath. “The greens are good so you can roll in some putts. I hit it pretty close and had a nice eagle that was a kick-in, so that’s always nice.”
She added: “I went on a stretch where I don’t think I hit it outside ten feet, really, so that makes it a lot easier.”
The former Smyth Salver winner at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open is competing in her rookie LET season after earning her card through the LET Access Series in 2025. Heath credited recent technical adjustments with coach Jason Baile for her improved form.
“In Ireland I struck the ball terribly and spoke to my coach. It was just the simplest things, like checking my ball position and having a little more tilt at address,” she explained. “It’s never the big things in the middle of the season. I worked on that a bit because I was feeling uncomfortable in my set-up, but I guess it worked.”
Heath also highlighted a recent switch back to a familiar putter.
“My putting was really bad at the start of the year and then in Ireland I switched back to my blade. I struck it well in Ireland, but I also putted well, and I think that has given me some confidence for this week.”
Australia’s Maddison Hinson-Tolchard sits alone in second place on seven-under-par after a solid second-round 67.
England’s Alice Hewson shares third place alongside former tournament champion Helen Briem. The German, who captured the title in 2024, had completed 14 holes of her second round and stood at six-under-par when play was suspended.
The second round will resume on Saturday morning, with a number of players still to complete their rounds before the cut is confirmed and attention turns to the final 36 holes at La Sella Golf.
