Moa Folke, Alexandra Forsterling and Casandra Alexander will take a share of the lead into the final round of the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open after an enthralling second day at Golf Club Milano.
The trio sit at nine-under-par, three shots clear of a tightly packed chasing group featuring Anna Morgan, Cara Gainer, Alice Hewson, Dorothea Forbrigd and Pia Babnik. Lois Lau is a further shot back in ninth place.
Home favourites Anna Zanusso and Alessandra Fanali are the leading Italian players and are part of a six-way tie for 10th, five strokes off the pace.
Folke and Forsterling laid down the marker during the morning wave, posting rounds of seven-under-par 65 and four-under-par 68 respectively, before Alexander joined them at the summit with a dramatic afternoon 68.
The South African, who shared the overnight lead, looked set to move clear after carding five birdies and a lone bogey through her opening 10 holes. After a dropped shot at the 13th, she responded in style with an eagle at the par-five 14th to reclaim the outright lead.
“After I hit a four-iron in, Doug [Pirie] said it was going to be difficult to top that for shot of the day,” Alexander said.
Another birdie followed at the 15th, but consecutive bogeys at 16 and 17 brought her back to the pack before a closing par secured her place in the three-way tie.
“It was a rollercoaster,” said the recent KPMG Women’s Irish Open champion. “Up and down all day, but I’ll take it.”
For Folke, the day was considerably calmer. The Swede produced a flawless seven-under-par round featuring four birdies on the front nine before finishing strongly with three consecutive birdies from the 16th.
“I had a really good day,” she said. “I just kept building on yesterday when I felt like I was close. Today a few more putts dropped, and I’m feeling very solid about my game, which is a good feeling.”
The 31-year-old is chasing her maiden Ladies European Tour title and believes patience is beginning to pay off.
“I’ve been really close. I always believe that if I stick to the process and keep going, it’s going to get better and better. Every week now my game feels stronger.
“Tomorrow I’ll focus on swinging with good tempo, enjoying being out there and embracing being in contention.”
Forsterling’s third-round 68 featured five birdies and just one bogey as the German (above) continued her impressive return to form following injury setbacks last season.
The four-time LET winner, whose last victory came at the 2024 Amundi German Masters, was pleased with another steady display.
“I was really solid again,” she said. “Similar to yesterday, but with one less bogey. Overall, it was really consistent and felt good.”
Forsterling was particularly encouraged by the balance in her game. The German has already recorded runner-up finishes at the Australian WPGA Championship and VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open this season and is relishing another opportunity to contend.
With three players tied at the top and a host of proven winners within striking distance, the stage is set for a thrilling Sunday in Monza.
Alexander expects the battle to go right down to the closing holes.
“There are a few of us who have been in this position before, so it’ll be a great challenge,” she said. “When it’s this close, it makes it fun because everyone has just as much on the line. It’ll be one on one birdie wise and it’s a great finishing stretch, so it could get very interesting.”
