Linda Wessberg
England’s Charlotte Leathem was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Germany’s Esther Henseleit and Sweden’s Linda Wessberg after the second’s day play at the Skafto Open. The Englishwoman hit a level-par 69 to maintain a share of the lead at –6 for the tournament.
Overnight leader Leathem had an up-and-down day at the Swedish course, beginning the round strongly with a birdie on hole two for the second day in a row and another at the Par-5 7th.
The Brit, playing in her first season on the LET Access Series, then had a sticky middle patch with three bogeys in four holes at the 8th, 9th and 11th. Heading into the 18th at –5, Leathem showed winner’s credentials to sink a birdie putt on the final green and end the day where she began on –6 atop the leaderboard.
“It was stable, there were good parts and bad parts. I played more aggressively than yesterday and dropped some shots on the par-fives, but it was okay. Hopefully some putts fall tomorrow,” said Leathem.
Henseleit began the day a shot further back on –5 and looked set to take the outright lead but for a costly double bogey at the Par-4 13th. The 20-year-old impressively fought back recording two consecutive birdies on the 14th and 15th, both par-3s, to end the day with a –1 round of 68.
“Today it was quite windy and the last holes were quite interesting to play. It is tough to understand from which direction the wind comes from. In the end it was -1 with a double bogey, so I want to do better tomorrow. I played well and hopefully I can play well tomorrow. I hope I can play in the last group. I will do my best tomorrow, but it is not possible to influence how the other play. I will focus on what I do and do my best,” said Henseleit.
Swedish veteran Linda Wessberg showed her class backing up a round of 67 on day one with a four-under round on day two. The 38-year-old has three victories on the Ladies European Tour, along with a 2016 Norwegian Open win on LETAS, and displayed all her tournament experience as she carded a classy 65 that included seven birdies.
“It’s been good, I’ve played very well from tee to green and putted well. I dropped some shots at the end of my round but overall I am happy,” said Wessberg.
Like Henseleit, a double bogey slip at the 6th – which has troubled her all week – cost the Swede the outright lead heading into the final round.
Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord also remains in the running, lying one shot adrift of the leading trio on –5. The former Ladies Norwegian Challenge winner played some solid golf to shoot a one-under 68 and keep firmly in the title mix going in to the final day’s play.
Recent LET Access Series results have shown that all can change on the final day, and with a host of players within toughing distance of the lead there is all to play for in the final round at the Skafto Open.
