Natalia Escuriola Credit: @tlmalp
Spain’s Natalia Escuriola shot the low round of the day to move up ten spots in the rankings at seven-under par and lead by one heading into the final round of the €50,000 Ladies Jabra Open, the LET Access Series event which doubles as the European qualifier for the Evian Championship.
Escuriola nearly had a bogey-free round, firing four birdies on the front, and another four on the back nine. The lone blemish on her card was a bogey six on the par 5 15th.
“Compared to yesterday, I drove the ball much better today,” remarked the 23-year-old Spaniard after following up her opening round 70 with a 65 for a total of 135. “I hit my irons much better today as well.”
Escuriola first played the Evian Resort course as a 14-year old and is a two-time winner on the LET Access Series.
She currently sits one ahead of Finland’s Minea Blomqvist, the 2004 LET Rookie of the year, who also shot 65. She is tied for second with last year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open champion Isabelle Boineau (69), while Camille Chevalier (70) and Gwladys Nocera (69) are a further shot back at five-under. Overnight leader Anais Meysonnier slipped down to tied 11th with a 3-over 74.
Defending champion Valentine Derrey is also in the mix, following up an opening round 68 with 70 for a four-under total.
The cut fell at four-over as 54 players made the third and final round. Leading the amateurs is local player Mathilda Cappeliez at two-over followed by countrywoman Emma Grechi, at three-over par.
