Swedish Showdown at Pilsen Golf Challenge

Emma Nilsson

Photo: Jakob Nedbal

Sweden’s Emma Nilsson shot a second round 70, for a two round total of 136, and will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Pilsen Golf Challenge, from her fellow countrywoman Louise Stahle.

Nilsson teed off the 10th tee and played the back nine holes solidly, with eight pars and a birdie on the 18th hole, to cover her first nine holes in 34 shots. The 20 year-old’s back nine was a mix of two birdies and two bogeys and the Swede is continuing her solid play this season in which she has not finished outside the top thirty in her first four LETAS events. She said: “I played quite good and I holed two long putts and my wedge game was quite good, so yes, I’m happy with the round.”

Nilsson has not played in the final group on the LET Access Series before and is looking forward to the final day’s challenge. She said: “Tomorrow’s round is going to be fun and a new experience for me. I think I will do like I’ve done this day and yesterday and just have fun. I think it will be good.”

Stahle, who is just returning to golf after a long break due to injury, followed up her opening round of 65 with a 1 over par, 72. The 29 year-old from Lund has the greater experience, having finished runner-up twice on the Ladies European Tour in the 2007 Ladies Portugal Open and the 2008 Ladies German Open, and will also be looking for her first win on the LET Access Series.

Eighteen Czech amateurs, with a handicap of two or better, are participating in the Pilsen Golf Challenge this week and Adele Cejnarova (-4) is well placed to finish as the top amateur after a second 67, 4 under par, placing her in a tie for third position. She commented: “I played really well, I had a lot of looks and I made a lot of putts. My caddie helped me a lot, he gave me really good advice.”

It is the first time Cejnarova has played in a professional event and is enjoying the experience. She said: “I like it, the tournament is very nice. The course is very well prepared and it’s a good atmosphere.” The 19 year-old, who is in her second year at Boston University in the United States, was looking forward to challenging for the title: “I just want to enjoy it, I didn’t really put myself under pressure yesterday or today either. I just like golf so I just want to play well. I just want to hit greens, make putts and we’ll see.”

Switzerland’s Caroline Rominger shot a second consecutive 69, to be tied with Cejnarova in third place.

Four players, England’s Kym Larratt, Tara Delaney from Ireland, Swede Isabella Ramsay and Melodie Bourdy from France, are all tied for 5th place at 3 under par.

Forty-four professionals and seven amateurs made the final day cut, which fell at 5 over par. Play will commence at 8.00am on Saturday morning.