Laura Gomez Ruiz
Spain’s Laura Gomez Ruiz shot a near-faultless 67 to move to -6 for the tournament, and claim the outright lead on day two of the Montauban Ladies Open. The Spaniard hit six birdies, including four in six holes on the front nine, and was over-the-moon to card her best score on the LET Access Series to date
“It feels great. This is actually the first time I’ve shot five-under in a professional round – so I’m really happy about it! The lowest score so far was two-under so five-under is a dream come true. In a tournament that is so important and to be leading the second day – it’s such a great opportunity for tomorrow.”
Gomez Ruiz was delighted with her all-round game, as her exceptional tee-to-green play was matched with equally impressive work on the putting surface:
“My putting was actually really, really good; I don’t remember the last time I putted so well. Even though I missed a really short putt, not even 50cm, but it was really good. Also my driver was good, I didn’t miss a fairway and my irons were really good. Yesterday, they weren’t that good but I was able to score well but today everything worked out.”
A shot behind the Spaniard are England’s Hayley Davis – who shot the lowest score on the course with a six-under 66 – and overnight leaders Greta Isabella Voekler and Anais Meyssonnier.
Davis hit nine birdies, six of which came on the back nine, with brilliant approach play into the greens offering numerous opportunities to birdie from short distance. The Englishwoman was equally impressive from the tee, with a wayward iron on the 16th that leading to a double bogey the only blemish on an otherwise clean scorecard.
“I hit the ball really good off the tee, that’s important out here because the fairways are really wide so just make sure to stick to targets to put yourself in good positions for good shots in. My irons were really good today; I had eight birdies and probably half of them were just tap-ins. So, I just hit it really well and just played really solid.
Davis has been in fine form all year, and currently lies second on the LETAS Order of Merit after three top-ten finishes already in 2019. The Baylor University graduate also qualified for her first major championship this year as she competed at the US Women’s Open earlier in the month, and displayed further evidence of her championship credentials on the French course.
The Briton will be looking to replicate her second round performance on the final day and clinch a first LETAS title – a victory that would also see Davis surge into the lead in the Road to La Largue rankings.
“Same as today, just go out there and hit good shots – stay in the moment. My goal today was to put myself in a good position for tomorrow and I’ve done that so just go out there tomorrow and see how it is really. Just stick to my plan, play one shot at a time and see how it goes.”
Home favourite Anais Meyssonnier is level with Davis on -5 having had a steady round of 71 on day two. The Frenchwoman could have held the outright lead but for two bogeys in her last three holes which allowed Gomez Ruiz to sit alone atop the leaderboard. Meyssonnier showed glimpses of the form that sees her lie fifth in the Race to La Largue but was left frustrated on the greens as the ball wouldn’t seem to drop for the French player.
“My strength is my long game. I thought that today I had really good long game. Today my putts wouldn’t go in the hole, close to the hole but not in. My chipping was good so I can’t make more birdies because I was too far from the flag. I hit sixteen greens in regulation, I took two putts, I just made three putts on the sixth I think. So, it’s a good day and I’ll go for tomorrow.”
The final day at Montauban promises to be a gripping affair with several players in the running to record a first victory on the LET Access Series. Gomez Ruiz will be wary of the in-form duo, and recent Neuchatel champion Greta Voekler also just a shot off the pace.
The leaders are expected on the course in late morning, with conditions expected to offer plenty of birdie opportunities at the stunning Golf de Montauban L’Estang course.
