Singapore’s Shannon Tan completed a strong second round at Lalla Meryem Cup, firing 69 (-4) for the day at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
Tan, who started the day on the 10th tee, had a shaky start with bogeys on holes 10, 13, and 16, but pulled it back on the front nine. The 20-year-old had a swing of birdies on holes one, two, and three, before also putting back-to-back birdies on five and six.
“I got off to a bit of a slow start, but I just told myself to stay patient throughout today and it worked”, said Tan.
“I think there were a couple of pins out there on the back nine which were tricky, but I didn’t think there was too much of a difference compared to yesterday.”
The Singaporean took advantage of the offseason and said: “I took like two months off golf and didn’t touch clubs which I thought it was good for me mentally and physically. I then looked at my stats from last year and picked out areas I can improve on to help me going into this year. I’m pleased some of that has paid off today.”
This year marks Tan’s second season on the Ladies European Tour (LET). In 2024, Tan made 25 appearances on the LET winning the season-opening Magical Kenya Ladies Open, which leaves her in strong contention for this season opener in Morocco. She had three further top-10 finishes to end the season sixth in the Order of Merit. Tan also made her Olympic debut at the Paris Games.
Three players sit in a share of second place on five-under-par after 36 holes. Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz, Germany’s Helen Briem, and Ireland’s Sara Byrne all fired rounds of 69 (-4).
Having started the day in T7, Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz rolled in five birdies across the 18 holes, finishing the day in T2. Since turning professional in 2015, this tournament is no stranger to the Spainard, having won twice before in 2016 and 2019.
Speaking about her second round, Iturrioz said: “I’m really enjoying myself and really enjoying the course. I love this course, the place, and the people. I hope I can make some more birdies on the par fives tomorrow.”
The 29-year-old spoke about the offseason and continued: “I practiced lots and worked on my game mentally too. I’m trying to believe more in myself. It’s sometimes hard on I off the course, so this year I’m trying to be more present and enjoy the moment. I’m one of those players where you visualise a lot. So when you visualize what you are in, sometimes the doubts come into your mind.”
It remains a tight leaderboard with a lot of players still in contention heading into the final round tomorrow at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
“There’s a lot of good players here this year, and the field is getting stronger. It’s great for the Tour, the players, and everyone involved. I’m just going to try and do my best and to make as many birdies as possible. Rest of the day I plan to rest, relax, and meditate. All these things help me be in the present, so it feels good. I meditate everyday, you need to be consistent with it – about 15/20minutes.”
German teenager Helen Briem secured a bogey-free for round two, having produced birdies on two, three, seven, and 13.
“It was very solid day. Yesterday I had a couple of bogeys and double bogeys, so there was a huge difference between yesterday and today, and the two very different lines out there today,” said Briem.
“I think there are more tricky holes on the back nine, and they’re playing more difficult.”
Briem, who has her Dad on her bag this week continued: “It was hard that first round, especially the first couple of hours to get into competitive golf again. I mean, it was only two months, but that’s still the longest break we have. I’m happy with how today went through and feeling pretty good.”
Briem was honoured with LET’s Rising Star award at the 2024 end of season awards. The 19-year-old won five times across the LET Access Series and LET in 2024 which included the La Sella Open.
Also in a tie for second place is rookie Sara Byrne. Having started the day in T14, she was able to climb the leaderboard, after carding a solid round.
“It’s been a good day, it’s always great being in contention coming into the final day, especially as a rookie,” said Ireland’s Bryne. “I honestly just played really solid today, putted well, and it’s always a nice day when you have seven birdies on the cards.”
The 23-year-old has Mark Raven on her bag this week who was at the Curtis Cup.
She continued: “The course is kind of quirky in places, but honestly, the course conditions are really good, there are low scoring chances out there.
“I’ve just been loving the week. I kind of missed the competing over the break a little bit and so to have this as the first event with the senior tour as well, it’s pretty cool. I also got drawn with Olivia [Mehaffey] and Megan [Dennis] for the first two rounds. It felt a little bit of home from home with Olivia and I, so I’m just taking it all in and it’s good to be back.”
Six players are tied for fourth on five-under-par; Germany’s Aline Krauter, Austria’s Emma Spitz, England’s Annabell Fuller, Cara Gainer and Gabriella Cowley, and Spain’s Teresa Toscano.
Krauter got off to a dream start with an eagle on the second hole.
[For the eagle shot] “I hit my drive a little bit to the right, so I hit it the shortest of the group and I was kind of worried, but I knew I was going to get to the green for sure. I ended up hitting a five wood. It landed on the top of the hill, trickled down to maybe 10 feet and made the putt”, said the German.
She continued: “Another win would mean the world to me. The win in India was special but my mum is with me this week so that would be amazing.”
56 players made the cut which stood at +3.
The final round of the Lalla Meryem Cup gets under way Saturday at 9am local time with the leaders going out at 11am.
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