Natasha Fear
As the €35,000 Ribeira Sacra Patromonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open approaches its business end, Natasha Fear playing in her home country of Spain, grabbed the lead after 36 holes.
Following a first round 68 on the par-70 Augas Santas Balneario & Golf Resort in Lugo, the twenty-year old fired a second round bogey-free four-under 66 to take a one-shot lead into the final round.
Conditions were ripe for scoring, with bright sunshine and no wind for the afternoon groups. The morning reportedly was cooler.
Speaking after, Fear said that a solid start helped her gain confidence as the round went on. “I missed a few greens to start with, and a couple of up-and-downs helped me settle down.”
The Spanish professional who is currently in her rookie season on the LETAS, stressed on keeping the ball in the short grass. “It is always easier to fire at flags that way.”
Going into the last 18, Fear has fond memories of this tournament – making the cut as an amateur last year to finish T39.
Climbing twenty-four spots to second place is Eun Jung Ji Kim who shot the lowest round of the day, with a six-under 64.
“I played very solid from tee to green. I was pretty confident on the greens as well.”
Like her fellow Spaniard one shot ahead of her, Ji Kim also had a blemish-free round after an opening one-over 71. This is Ji Kim’s first start as a professional, and earlier in the week she won the pro-am before the opening day of play.
“Playing and winning the pro-am helped me gain a lot of confidence. That has been an influence on my score today!”
Also tied for second place are France’s Astrid Vayson De Pradenne (68, 67) and Switzerland’s Caroline Rominger (68, 67).
Earlier in the year, Vayson De Pradenne led in Finland with an opening round 67. Her best finish on the LETAS is equal second last year in Portugal. Rominger’s best season was in 2014 when she finished inside the top-10 six times.
Overnight leader Manon de Roey stumbled, shooting five-over 75, slipping down into a tie for 11th position.
France’s Salome Zasio remained the leading amateur with a second round 69. She is currently in a tie for 8th place.
The cut fell at six-over with 46 professionals and two amateurs making the final day.
