Chasing her first LETAS title, Hannah Screen shot a three-under-par 69 to take a two-stroke lead with a round left in the Calatayud Ladies Open.
The 24-year-old from London, England has a six-under-par total heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament at Gambito Golf Calatayud.
On a windy and wet morning, Screen opened with an eagle on the third. She then bogeyed the par-4 holes six and eight but bounced back with birdies on 10 and 11 before rolling in another on 16.
“I’m happy. I played well both yesterday and today and I’m just excited to see what happens tomorrow.”
In her rookie year on tour, Screen has been in the leading pack a couple of times and is now feeling more experienced and ready to clinch victory.
Her best finish this year to date was second at the LETAS Link Series.
“This time around I want to make sure I keep my rhythm. I know in the past, I’ve got a little bit quick and it’s hard not to get ahead of yourself. I’ll just be trying to keep myself distracted as much as I can.
“Tomorrow with the weather I just need to keep everything dry. It’s cliché but I need to take it one shot at a time especially if there’s a lot of wind.
“A win would be great; I’ve been here before and to get over the line would be great. I don’t want to jinx it though.”
Screen admitted that after the round today she is off to work again for her part-time job at a golf digital marketing agency but insists it will help take her mind off the task tomorrow.
Sitting in ninth place on the LETAS Order of Merit Rankings, Screen could make a big jump with a maiden victory tomorrow.
“The Order of Merit is always in the back of my mind especially towards the end of the season. I think I need a good two weeks to get inside the top six but I’m happy with how my season’s gone so far.”
Hungry for another win this season, Lewthwaite carded five birdies and three bogeys to put herself in contention.
“The conditions are not that easy this week. The weather will play a factor tomorrow as well but I’m feeling good.
“I had an awesome group today, Fie and Clara play nice and fast which is exactly how I like to play so it was lovely playing with them.”
Lewthwaite who plays between the LET and LET Access won the Hauts de France Pas de Calais Open a month ago and has had three top-25s elsewhere this year.
“I don’t think the conditions will improve so tomorrow I need to have patience and we’ll see what happens out there.
“On the bag this week, I’ve got Victor, a friend from Spain who has caddied with me on the LET. He’s doing a great job. So, it’s lots of fun out there.”
It’s been a turbulent year for the South African who was nearly forced to quit the sport after sponsorship pulled out in February, yet the 32-year-old has fought her way back.
“I can’t remember ever going into a last round in the lead. I’ve always come from behind little bit which is nice. It takes a bit of the pressure off. It’s a position I’m used to, and I will just try to do the same thing.”
Three other players lie on four-under-par, France’s Emie Perronin, Netherland’s Romy Meekers and Germany’s Verena Gimmy who except for Meekers have won before on LETAS.
The last two days have been a big confidence for Gimmy who has been self-admittedly been struggling with her form.
“I’m feeling very confident. I’ve been struggling a lot with my game but I’m doing a lot of mental process and feeling good. I always love coming to Spain and I really like the course.
“I’ve given myself chances this week and I hope to keep it up going into tomorrow.
“This week I’m just trying to get back into my groove and find the passion for golf again. I feel like I’ve been doing a great job so far.”
Gimmy won the last event of last season, Santander Golf Tour Burgos where she went into the final round in second position, one shot behind the leader.
“I prefer the chase so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’ve won before and that was my first professional win, but I think winning tomorrow would be a little bit more special as I’ve been struggling all year and finally getting it back. I’m glad I’m in contention again.”
Sweden’s Emma Thorngren and Corinne Viden, England’s Gemma Clews and Sara Gee and Germany’s Lara Ok are in tied sixth on one-under-par with Ok still having two holes to play.
Play was suspended at 5:52pm local time and will resume at 8:30am. Round three will commence approximately at 10am.
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