Diksha Dagar of India seized a five-shot lead heading into the final round of the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open with a second round of seven-under-par 65, which matched the low score of the day at Royal Beroun Golf Club.
The 22-year-old from New Delhi made the most of the favourable conditions to post a bogey-free round containing five birdies and an eagle on Saturday.
Only Agathe Sauzon could match Dagar’s seven-under-par 65, but the Frenchwoman is six strokes back after an opening round of 75.
Dagar, the 2019 Investec South African Women’s Open champion, started her second round on the 10th hole and quickly moved into the lead with birdies on the 12th and 15th holes. She had a two-stroke advantage after another birdie on her ninth, the par-five 18th and then steadily build her lead with further birdies on the third and fifth, before making an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole.
“Throughout my round I was in very good form and my hitting was good. I putted very well today,” said Dagar, who has posted three top ten finishes in her last four tournaments, including a tie for third in the Amundi German Masters last week.
“I’m feeling confident. My main focus is to play good golf and at the moment I’m enjoying it.”
This is her fourth consecutive appearance in Beroun and she came close to victory at the event in 2021 ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, in which she represented India.
“Two years ago, I finished in the top five during the Olympic qualification period. My target was to finish top five. I have played here multiple times and I know this course very well.”
Looking ahead to the final round, she added: “I’m going to do the same thing as I did today. I’m going to stay focused and leave the result to the golf.”
Ana Peláez Trivino, Cara Gainer and Gabriella Cowley are all tied for second place on five-under-par.
Peláez Trivino, who is on track to rise to number one on the Race to Costa del Sol Rankings tomorrow, said after carding a 70: “It was bittersweet. I had so many birdie chances, and they were not going in. I tried to be patient. It was hard, I don’t know why. It’s a three-day tournament, so today’s a bit like the moving day.”
Last year’s Comunidad de Madrid Ladies Open champion continued: “I stayed patient and fought until the end and finished two-under, so I think it’s going to give me a chance for tomorrow. I think I’m going to have to stay patient and trust that I’m hitting good putts and not get too emotional, but trust that they are good and they will go in. Today it didn’t happen, so I need to stay patient, wait for birdies to come and enjoy the round.”
In-form Gainer and Cowley are both chasing their first wins on the LET.
Cowley, who tied for fifth place in the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed a fortnight ago, shot 67 and said: “I’ve been playing pretty solid all week, and leading up to it, to be honest. I’d just like a few more putts to drop.
“I hit the ball similarly to yesterday, when the conditions were tough, especially with the late tee time. I like the course and I think it suits me. Every event, I’m trying to win. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully the putts will drop.”
Gainer, the runner-up in last week’s Amundi German Masters, shot 68 and said: “I’m very pleased with today. I played very solid for 16 holes and didn’t hole any putts, so it was a little frustrating at times. I had a few par saves at the end, so it evened up.
“I know that Diksha is playing well. I played with her last week in the final group, so I think you just have to stick to your own game plan and see what happens. I feel like it’s all going to a bit of a waterfall moment. I was very close last week and I just want to keep the momentum going.”
Sauzon is at four-under and tied with compatriot Emma Grechi and Linnea Johansson of Sweden.
“It was a good day after yesterday, which was a bit tough. Yesterday I missed a lot of greens and today I didn’t miss one,” said Sauzon, who carded seven birdies, two bogeys and an eagle on the 18th hole.
Defending champion Jana Melichova carded a 67 and joined fellow Czech player Sara Kouskova, Celine Herbin, Florentyna Parker, Lily May Humphreys, Carmen Alonso and Alexandra Forsterling in a share of eighth on three-under-par.
Overnight leader Ana Dawson dropped back to level par following a 76.
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #TCLO @CzechLadiesOpen.
