Mexico’s Fernanda Lira carded a phenomenal second round of 64(-8) to share the lead alongside home favourite Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen heading into tomorrow’s final round of the Q-Tour Himmerland Championship Presented by Sand Spedition.
Lira was faultless as she racked up a total of six birdies and one eagle to climb 38 positions up the rankings.
Speaking about her brilliant round, Lira said: “Yesterday I didn’t play well, mentally I wasn’t pressing to make birdies. I played the Pro-Am and it was average. So, I was thinking maybe this course isn’t for me.
“Then Ryan gave me a little pep talk last night, and I found my game again today.”’
Lira has her husband Ryan Shuttleworth on the bag. The two are a winning combination with Ryan being on the bag two weeks ago at the Islantilla Open.
“Himmerland is amazing. We are staying on-site, and I just keep thinking how amazing it is. The practice facilities are so good, and I’m excited to try the spa after the round.”
Two weeks ago at Islantilla, Lira secured a five-shot victory and walked away from the rest of the field. Tomorrow the Mexican is hoping to do the same.
“I think this is a course where I can go low. I’m setting myself up to break my personal best which I think I can do on this course. It would have to be 12-under, but I think I can do it.”
Leading the home charge is talented Danish golfer Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen, who won the LETAS Order of Merit and Rookie of the Year two years ago. Two rounds of 68 and 70 put her in share of the lead.
It was a solid second round for the LET player who started strong with two consecutive birdies before carding two bogeys and another birdie in her next three holes.
On her back nine the Dane dropped a shot on the second hole before carding two more birdies on holes three and six to find herself in the final group tomorrow.
Speaking about her round, Kibsgaard Nielsen said: “I started pretty good with two birdies, and I just got out there and tried to keep going with what I did yesterday.
“To be in the final group at home means a lot. Its fun being at home, being in contention and I think it’s a while since I’ve been sitting at the top before the last round.
“I think I will just focus on myself. The course is challenging, and I think the weather being different in the last two rounds, I will just try to hit one shot at a time and not get ahead of myself.”
It’s been a strong season for the Dane on the LET. After eight events she is yet to miss a cut. Taking the opportunity of a major week on the LET, Nielsen is enjoying home comforts at Himmerland.
“My family and my boyfriend are going to come out so that will be fun tomorrow.
“I’ve had a very solid year so far. I’ve been there on the top of the leaderboard, but the weekend wasn’t what I wanted.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I will see what tomorrow brings and then we will see. But having a good week here is going to help me in my next events on the LET.”
After rounds of 68 and 71, England’s Ellen Hume sits solo third on five-under-par.
Speaking about her solid round, Hume said: “I remained calm today. I stayed patient and positive even when the putts didn’t go in.”
Hume, the 2019 English Amateur Champion, has had in her own words a “mediocre” season.
The Englishwomen missed three cuts in a row but bounced back at the last event, the Islantilla Open with a top 30 position.
“I’m excited to be in the final group as I’ve not been in this position for the whole year. I want to enjoy it as much as possible and have fun out there.”
Danish amateur Marie Madsen, who is ranked 35th on WAGR, goes into final round tied fourth alongside France’s Charlotte Liautier and Czech amateur Lucie Vachova.
Meanwhile three players are tied for seventh, England’s Jessica Hall, France’s Lois Lau and Czechia’s Patricie Mackova.
Elswhere Norway’s Rikke Nordvik secured the second hole-in-one of the tournament on the 16th, nicknamed “Himmerland Hill” with a gap wedge.
50 players made the cut which stood at +4.
The final round begins at 7:45 local time with the leaders going out at 9:15.
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