Isabell Gabsa
Germany’s Isabell Gabsa leads the third edition of the Azores Ladies Open at the Terceira Island Golf Club. Gabsa, currently lying 44th on the LETAS Order of Merit, shot an opening 69, 3 under par, in sunny and breezy conditions, followed by England’s Lauren Taylor with 70 (-2). Taylor, who won the Norrporten Ladies Open last month as an amateur, is a strong candidate for the title in the Azores.
Many players found the greens difficult but this was not the case for Gabsa, who has played both the Ladies European Tour and the LET Access Series this year. The German player finished 57th at the Tour School, giving her entry into some events on the Ladies European Tour.
“The greens last week were, for me, much more difficult to read. These remind me of those from my home course, the Golf Club Ulm. I’m really happy with the result, its a golf course that has some difficult holes but has other birdie chances, as in the case of 17, a short par 5. I hit it well today and hit good irons. For me it was positive that the wind has changed today, because I can play with the wind,” said Gabsa, a fan of Bubba Watson, Ernie Els and Martin Kaymer.
Hungarian amateur Csilla Rozsa, who is lying in 3rd place tied at even par with Switzerland’s Fabienne In-Albon and Caroline Rominger, is playing in her first international professional tournament. The 16-year-old started playing at the age of 11 because there was a golf course close to her home. At 15 years old, Rozsa was crowned national champion in Hungary and this year retained the title.
The Azores Ladies Open continues tomorrow with the second round at 9.30am. The top 25 professionals and ties will progress through to the final round on Sunday.
