France’s Lucie Malchirand lit up the fairways at Gambito Golf Calatayud, carding a sensational round of 64, eight under par. This is the lowest round of her career on both the LET and LETAS.
The 22-year-old’s flawless second round included eight birdies, four on each nine. The LET winner built on her solid opening round of 70 to hold a one stroke lead heading into the final round of the Iberdrola Calatayud Ladies Open.
“I’m really happy about my day today,” Malchirand said. “Even when I missed some shots, I was always able to find solutions. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a round like that, so it felt good.”
The Frenchwoman, who rose to prominence with a remarkable victory at the 2021 Ladies Italian Open on the Ladies European Tour while still an amateur, is no stranger to winning.
Earlier this year, she claimed victory on the Sunshine Ladies Tour at the Standard Bank Ladies Open in Cape Town, her first event of the 2025 season.
When asked what was working so well, Malchirand credited both her physical and mental improvements.
“My game is getting better and also my head. I’ve been working a lot on that part. I’m trying to enjoy it more and have fun, and that’s what happened today and yesterday.”
“I won the first tournament of the season, so maybe if I can win the first and the last, it could be really nice.
“But really, I’ll just try to enjoy it, stick to my routine, and stay focused on what I know. We’ll see what happens.”
While not directly in contention for promotion via the Order of Merit, Malchirand currently sits 73rd on the Order of Merit so a win could see her skip Pre-Qualifying and go straight to final stage.
“I know I’m going to Q School, so I’m using this to build confidence and good vibes.
“That’s my goal, to just keep improving and feel good about my game.”
Germany’s Hanna Tauber kept her game from yesterday with a composed second round of 68 (4) following her opening 67 to sit second on the leaderboard heading into the final day.
The 29-year-old now holds a one-shot advantage and will play in the final group of a professional tournament for the first time in her career.
“Who wouldn’t be happy with that?” Tauber said. “The first four holes I was nervous as I’ve never started off that hot in a tournament before. Usually I build into events, but this time it was the opposite.”
While many players in the final group will be battling to secure their full playing rights for next season, Tauber is searching her first victory.
“If I put it all out there, there’s nothing to feel sorry about.”
France’s Charlotte Liautier and Sweden’s Andrea Lignell, who sit ninth and 10th on the LETAS Order of Merit respectively, are tied for third after they both finished with rounds of 69 and 67 (eight under).
Tomorrow there is a lot of pressure on their shoulders as they both need the win or a solo second to secure their 2026 LET playing rights.
Speaking about tomorrow Liautier said: “I’m now out of the top seven, so I have nothing to lose. I’m happy about what I did. I want to be part of the fight. Tomorrow, I know it maybe it will be a little bit more pressure, but I just want to have fun and finish the season good.”
Liautier, who has had eight top 10 finishes this season, dropped out of the top seven for the first time since the start of the year at the last event, the Lavaux Ladies Open where she finished 34th.
“I’m happy play for the win again this year. I’ve played a few times, but I didn’t win at the end, so I’m happy to have another chance to try and see what happens.”
Lignell echoes her playing partner’s sentiment. The Swede has had four top 10 finishes and a win in her home country at the Swedish Strokeplay Championship by Dormy Future Stars.
“Honestly, finishing second is not really an option, because I don’t want to leave anything to chance. So, I’m just happy I put myself in such a good position and at least give myself a chance to earn my card this week.
“Tomorrow I will be very aggressive. I have really nothing to lose. It’s a different mindset as it doesn’t really matter if I finish third, fifth, or 20th, unless I win. So, I feel like I’m just going to give it my absolute all tomorrow.”
Ladies Slovak Golf Open winner Anna Backman sits outright fifth on seven-under-par.
Scotland’s Louise Duncan and Spain’s Elena Melich Sanchez sit tied sixth on six-under-par whilst England’s Charlotte Heath is solo eighth.
Four players round out the top 10 in ninth on four-under-par; Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer, Sweden’s Louisa Carlbom, Sweden’s Corinne Viden and Cambodian amateur Harmonie Yin.
52 players made the cut which stood at +2.
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