Swedish rookie Sara Kjellker continued her fine form on day two at the Hero Women’s Indian Open matching the round of the week 66 (-6) to move into contention once again.
Few players have been performing as well as Kjellker in recent months with the 25-year-old recording three top five finishes since the KPMG Women’s Irish Open at the end of August.
Visiting India for the first time this week, the Swede soared up the leaderboard in round two as she bettered Thursday’s score by seven shots to move into T3 – two shots adrift of leader and fellow rookie Aline Krauter.
“The first six holes felt crazy,” Kjellker said, who was level par with 12 holes remaining on Friday. “I thought this could go either way today. But then I had an eagle on hole eight and that kickstarted the round.
“I had some good wedges into the greens today which I love so I gave myself a lot of chances.”
Recording only the second eagle over the first two days of action at DLF Golf & Country Club (compatriot Moa Folke made the other one in round one), a spurred on Kjellker soon lit up the flatstick making five more birdies and dropping only one shot on the back nine to complete the 66 (-6).
Kjellker came close to recording a maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) victory at the La Sella Open in July when she led after the first two days before a difficult final round in Spain saw her finish T9.
Since then, the rookie’s game has gone from strength to strength as she recorded back-to-back top five finishes at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open and Big Green Egg Open in the Netherlands two months ago.
“I’ve done a lot of mental work,” Kjellker said. “Both with my dad and with my coach. I’ve been believing in myself more and trusting my swing. Working hard on my off days. I think that’s it, honestly.”
Improving her LET status to category 14 in the process, Kjellker would then finish fourth at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France last month thanks to a fabulous 66 (-5) in the final round.
With such solid results seemingly building towards a victory, the Swede now believes the close calls have helped her confidence massively as she chases maiden glory on the LET.
Heading into the weekend, Kjellker said: “I’m going to take things one shot at a time and not get too far ahead of myself. There’s still plenty of golf left. I’ll try to stick to my process and play aggressive and not try to defend anything, because there’s nothing to defend.”
Kjellker will play alongside close friend Madelene Stavnar from Norway and England’s Hannah Burke in the penultimate group in round three of the 2023 Hero Women’s Indian Open. The trio get underway at 10:59 local time.
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