Sweden’s Corinne Viden and Czechia’s Patricie Mackova both fired opening rounds of 67(-5) to lead after day one of the Lavaux Ladies Open.
On a sunny day at Golf de Lavaux, Viden, who started on 10, got off to a strong start rolling in six birdies on her front nine to go into the turn five-under.
After nine, Viden lost the momentum with two bogeys on holes one and four before bouncing back with consecutive birdies on five and six to take the clubhouse lead.
Speaking about her round, the 27-year-old said: “I’ve had a tough season, so it was nice to make a couple of birdies today.”
Viden is accompanied by her younger sister Denise on the bag who is helping to keep the Swede’s spirits high.
“My sister was on the bag, and she brings only positives. She’s come here on her own time and that’s not lost on me that she is sacrificing a week for me, so I’ve got to bring my best mood.
Viden who is in her fifth year as a professional currently ranks 54th on LETAS Order of Merit, outside the spots to earn a place at the final stage of Q School.
Her highest finish on LETAS this season has been tied seventh at the Vasteras Open by Moregolf Mastercard. Viden has been candid about this season being a struggle.
“I’ve not been happy with where I’m at, not just with my golf game. It’s always hard to perform when you are struggling. Anything but great is hard for me to accept.
“In these last two events I just want to enjoy it and have fun.”
Sharing top spot on the leaderboard is Mackova who fired an almost flawless round of six birdies and one bogey.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a month for the young Czech talent who after the Ladies Slovak Golf Open slipped into seventh on the LETAS Order of Merit.
Yet during the next off-week, Mackova injured her wrist after colliding with a cyclist when running. This injury forced the 24-year-old from Prague to withdraw from the Women’s Irish Challenge and threatened her chance to earn an automatic spot to the LET.
“Today was the first round where I have played pain free. That’s been the highlight. When you get injured, you realize that there are bigger and more important things.
“Before I worried about the tiniest things, so now I’m just grateful to be playing golf and not complain about the small things.”
Mackova has played nine events on LETAS this season. Before her injury the Czech player was on a seven consecutive top 10 streak. Yet despite playing through pain at the last two events, Mackova comfortably made the cut.
“The views are amazing. The venue is great and it’s close to home so I can bring the stuff I want to bring and that’s great.
“It’s a quick turnaround for tomorrow, so I enjoyed the golf today. I want to enjoy playing golf more than I did because it’s such a big part of my life. I’m going to go out there and try my best, have fun and enjoy the game.”
It’s a stacked leaderboard with 19 players within four strokes of each other.
Four players are tied for third on four-under-par; Germany’s Sophie Witt, Australia’s Justice Bosio, Slovakia’s Michaela Vavrova and Anais Magetti leads the home charge.
This event marks Bosio’s last chance to enter the top seven on the Order of Merit as she heads back to Australia after this week due to limited days in Europe.
Sweden’s Louisa Carlbom and France’s Charlotte Liautier are tied seventh on three-under-par.
Round two gets underway at 8:30am. There will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties after play finishes.
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