Argentinian Magdalena Simmermacher added a 67 to her opening 69 for a total of eight-under-par and takes a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Estrella Damm Ladies Open presented by Catalunya in Sitges.
Playing in warm and sunny conditions at Club de Golf Terramar, the 25-year-old from Buenos Aires carded three birdies and one bogey on the front nine to make the turn in 35 before adding another three birdies in a row from holes 14 to 16 to come back in 32.
“I played really solid golf yesterday and today. I’m giving myself lots of opportunities,” said Simmermacher, who is ranked 11th on the Race to Costa del Sol following five top tens from 14 starts so far this year, including a tie for second and third in her last three appearances.
“In general, I’m playing really solid golf from tee to green, so I’m happy about it. I’m having more fun on the golf course and I’m back to playing how I did as an amateur. I just hit it as I want to hit it and not plan too much. I’m working on my swing a lot with my coach and I think it’s going the right way, so that’s the key to it.”
Simmermacher could become the first representative from her country to win on the LET and she added: “There haven’t been many Argentinians, so it would be quite a thing. I’m usually the first doing things in golf. It would be nice for generations to come to see that they can do it as well.
“I played in this event when it was last staged two years ago as they gave me an invitation in my first year as a pro in 2019 so it would mean a lot if I were to win here.
“I just wanted to get myself into contention for the last day, so I will go out, try to make a lot of birdies and try to get it done.”
Spain’s María Hernández (70), Finland’s Krista Bakker (70), England’s Gabriella Cowley (68) and Scotland’s Kylie Henry (69) share second place on four-under-par.
Another home hopeful is Laura Gomez Ruíz, who is tied for sixth place with first round co-leader Kelsey MacDonald of Scotland, Becky Morgan from Wales, Olivia Cowan of Germany and Sweden’s Jessica Karlsson.
Slovenian Pia Babnik carded the lowest round of the tournament so far: a bogey-free 66, which was 10 shots better than her opening round and she is six strokes from the lead in a share of 11th position. The 17-year-old Jabra Ladies Open champion said: “Today I played better than yesterday and hit more fairways, so it was easier to play. Yesterday, the putts didn’t go in.
“I’m just trying to have fun and play my best, so we’ll see how it goes. I’m really happy with how it’s going this year. I’m trying to improve from tournament to tournament and trying to be my best and just enjoying the game.”
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