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| Klára Spilkova plays her approach to the 18th green at National Golf Club |
Klára Spilkova from the Czech Republic holds a one stroke lead over Scotland’s Vikki Laing going into the final round of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open at National Golf Club in Antalya.
After Friday’s play was washed out, the 18-year-old from Prague followed an opening round of 69 on Thursday with a second round of three-under-par 70 in fine conditions on Saturday to sit at seven-under-par after 36 holes. Laing had a four-under 69 to end six-under, with Dane Malene Jorgensen a stroke further behind.
“I’m very happy. I played well today like I did in the first round but the front nine was a little bit up and down,” said Spilkova, a third year Ladies European Tour player who combines professional tour golf with high school studies. “The driver was not as good but I holed a few good putts so I will keep going and try my best and enjoy the day.”
She had five birdies and two dropped shots on the tight and tricky tree-lined par-73 course in Belek and is now seeking a first LET title after recording her career best finish of tied sixth at last year’s ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters. “I really don’t feel pressure, so pressure: what does it mean?” she added.
Laing is also in the hunt for a maiden victory after three runner-up finishes in five years on tour. The 33-year-old from Musselburgh started with a par at the 10th but picked up five shots in four holes from the 11th, with three successive birdies followed by an eagle on the par-5 14th, where she used a 4-iron from 195 yards of the flag to strike the ball to three feet.
“I’m super happy with it. I got off to a really fast start and made a bunch of birdies at the beginning. I hit the ball well and made a few good putts,” said Laing. “I’m hitting it well and I’m rolling the ball well on the greens so it’s a good combination. I’m just trying to hit fairways and greens so I’ll have the same plan for tomorrow.”
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| Vikki Laing acknowleges the gallery on the terrace behind the 18th green |
Jorgensen, the early leader, was seven-under-par after 15 holes but double bogeyed the 16th after finding the water with her second shot, a chip across the green.
The 27-year-old from Odense said: “I had a good day out there, only one mistake. I’ve played the course a lot of times so it’s lovely to be here and I’m enjoying it. I’m going to try and win!”
Valentine Derrey of France was three strokes behind the leaders on four-under-par, with Finland’s Krista Bakker, England’s Charley Hull and first-round leader Heather MacRae of Scotland a stroke further behind in a share of fifth.
Despite having waited almost 48 hours between finishing her first round and starting her second, MacRae managed a three-over 76 to remain in the hunt.
She said: “It was kind of tough but I knew it was going to be and I didn’t hit it as good or putt as well as I still made a lot of pars. I think where I am, I have to be pleased. I would rather be where I am than where I was because it’s easier when you’re a couple of groups back.”
Despite a two hour delay early on Saturday morning due to electrical storms in the area, the second round was completed before darkness fell on Saturday evening, with the defending champion Lee-Anne Pace making the cut on the number at six-over-par.
