Krista Bakker
Finland’s Krista Bakker shot an opening round of 67, 5 under par, to lead the CreditGate24 GolfSeries Hamburg Open at Treudelberg Golf & Country Club, by one from France’s Emilie Piquot.
Bakker covered the opening nine holes in one under par in tough windy conditions. The Finn completed a flawless back nine with birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 18th holes to be home in 32 shots. The 21-year-old will be hoping to improve on her season best on the LET Access Series, a 13th place finish at the recent CitizenGuard LETAS Trophy in Belgium.
“I had a lot of birdie chances today, I putted very solid so I hit it close to the pin. I holed two long putts, one from ten metres on the 15th. It was tough with the wind but I hit my driver quite far on a few holes so it was easier, but yes it was tough. I’m excited, hoping the weather will be good tomorrow and looking forward to it,” she said.
Piquot comes into this week’s event in good form after recording her first top ten with a 6th place finish in Belgium. The 24-year-old French player was tied for the lead with Bakker until she found the water right of the green on the final hole, resulting in a dropped shot and an opening round of four under par. The French player hails from Normandy in the north of France and felt quite comfortable in the tricky conditions.
“I made a good eagle on the 18th hole, so my 9th. I saved a lot of pars too so it was a good day. This weather is a bit like mine so it’s not difficult,” said Piquot.
Four players, Germany’s Olivia Cowan, Scotland’s Jane Turner, Leena Makkonen from Finland and Austrian Nina Muehl are all tied at 1 under par. The current LETAS Order of Merit leader, Germany’s Isi Gabsa sits in a group of eight players tied for 7th place at even par.
