Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen fired a second round of nine-under 64 to lead by six shots at the Trust Golf Links Series at Ramside Hall Golf Club.
The leader had a slower start to her round carding an early birdie on the first and dropping one shot on the third to be level par through four holes.
The 18-year-old produced a birdie bonanza scoring nine times on holes 5 through 17 including five back-to-back birdies to start her back nine which she made in only 29 shots.
“I feel really happy knowing I can make ten birdies in a round. I was confident compared to last year when I played in England because the weather was very nice today and quite similar to Thailand,” commented the leader.
The Thai, who won six times in her homeland before coming to compete in Europe shot the lowest round of her career as well as the course record today.
“My irons and putts were the strongest parts of my game. My irons were very straight and close to the pins and I could make the putts,” said Wannasaen who will head to the final round with a comfortable six-shot lead.
She added: “This is the first time I am leading in Europe and tomorrow I know I am able to make it. I’m proud of how I played today.”
In outright second place is Germany’s 16-year-old Chiara Noja who carded a round of three-under 70 with seven birdies.
The Dubai-based teenage star, who sits in second on the LETAS Order of Merit is on a total score of -5 for the tournament putting her in contention once again.
What looked like the round of the day until late afternoon was Tina Mazarino’s seven-under 66 which puts her in a tie for third at -4 after day two.
The Norwegian carded five birdies plus an eagle on the par-four 14th hole which she holed out from 54 meters.
“This is my lowest score ever in a tournament. I felt really confident over the ball and took advantage of the par fives that I could reach in two,” said the Norwegian.
She shares third place with British duo Hannah McCook from Scotland and Emily Toy from England.
English amateur Jessica Hall, Scotland’s Tara Mactaggart, Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol and Sweden’s Sara Kjellker all share sixth place at three-under-par.
Welsh rookie Jordan Ryan takes solo tenth place heading into the final round as she rounds out the top-10 at two-under-par.
The final round goes underway on Friday at 7:30 BST in the northeast of England.
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