(Helsinki GC, Finland – August 27, 2005) – Denmark’s Lisa Holm Sorensen, a rookie on the Robe di Kappa Ladies European Tour (LET), completed two solid rounds of 70 to lead by a shot after day two of the Ladies Finnish Masters at Helsinki GC.
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| Cecilia Ekelundh |
The Dane has been working on the mental side of golf after her expectations of a high placed finish were crushed at the Wales Ladies Championship of Europe – the previous event on the LET.
“I had a bad week mentally in Wales because I really, really wanted to make the cut to save my card and relax over the next few weeks,” she said.
“I figured after Wales that I needed to create some ‘happy thoughts’, to look at something that makes me happy.
“So I decided I was going to look at a picture of my two-and-a-half year old nephew after every shot because he’s so cute every time I look at him it makes me smile.”
Sorensen carries a card in her bag with the picture and a few motivational phrases titled: “Pep talks”. Its reads: “Believe in yourself, you have everything you need to do it” and follows with putting tips: “See it in the hole, focus on the hole and send her home!”
That tactic paid off today, but another player who uses mental coaching also made a fast charge. Ekelundh, who credited her mental coach Martin Blom in her successful defence of the Algarve Ladies Open of Portugal, could earn a place on The 2005 European Solheim Cup team with a victory this week.
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| Ursula Wikstrom |
“I’m putting solid and I feel comfortable with my iron shots. I feel very close to being at my best again.”
Pettersen, from Oslo, had to recover from a back injury which prevented her from playing any golf at the beginning of the year.
On the question of a Captain’s pick tomorrow, she said: “I don’t expect it, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
“I’ve been there two times and I want to be there again. If I get a pick it will be a big bonus. If I don’t, I won’t be disappointed because I didn’t get a chance to play my way in.”
