Australia’s Kelsey Bennett kept her cool to maintain a one shot lead heading into the final round of the Montauban Ladies Open.
The New South Wales golfer had a commanding start with two birdies within the first three holes but then started to struggle and carded three bogeys in a row.
Bennett brought it back with a birdie on seven but two bogeys on the back nine set the 2023 Athena Champion back two shots from yesterday’s stellar round.
“It was hard to back up a nine-under-par but I stuck to my processes. I just had some awkward distances today and didn’t hole many putts.
“I love being in the leading group, I’m really looking forward to it tomorrow. It’s going to be tough but I’m ready for it.”
The Montauban Ladies Open is Bennett’s first event in Europe this season, but the 24-year-old competed in the LET events in Australia and placed 28th at the Women’s NSW Open.
“Today was a learning curve and I learnt that it’s very important to stick to the processes and trust your game.”
“A win this week would mean a lot to me, being the first event of my season it would be a big confidence boost for the rest of the season.”
Close on Bennett’s heels is Italy’s Erika De Martini who fired two consistent rounds of 69 to head into the final round on six-under-par.
After a shaky start on the first with a bogey, De Martini brought it back with a birdie and an eagle on the six and seventh.
On the back nine, De Martini carded two bogeys and three birdies to put her in the leading group.
“I felt really calm out there, I wasn’t stressed. I’ve had a really good time so far this week. I’ve enjoyed my game and wherever it goes tomorrow it will be ok for me.
“My mum is always my caddie; we never talk about golf on the course. We talk about everything. I really appreciate it.”
De Martini was an invite into the event and has relished the opportunity to play this week.
“It feels good to perform as an invite. I was a last-minute entry. I just want my game to get better and better.
“It will be my first time in the leading group as a professional golfer. I will just stay as calm as always. I always enjoy a chase.”
Two shots behind Bennett lies Switzerland’s Tiffany Arafi who has had a steady climb towards the top of the leaderboard with rounds of 70 and 69.
The 24-year-old carded three consecutive birdies and one bogey on the front nine and two birdies and one bogey on the back to finish on five-under-par.
“My game feels good right now so that has given me confidence. I didn’t make a lot of mistakes. I constantly had good drives.
“This week I have my best friend on the bag Valentine, who is a great help.”
Arafi, who achieved her highest finish of 21st on the LET last month at the Amundi German Masters, finished 12th at the LETAS season opener and is hoping to build on that.
“It’s my first time in Montauban and my second LETAS tournament. I’m finding that competing on LETAS is giving me confidence when I head back to the LET.
“Tomorrow, I want to take it shot by shot like I did today and try to make some more pars and hit it closer to the flags.
Arafi underwent some big technical swing changes in October and is pleased to see they are working.
“A win would be appreciated. It would be a nice reward for all the swing changes I made.”
Scotland’s Louise Duncan and German amateur Helen Briem are tied fourth on four-under-par.
In tied sixth on three-under-par sits overnight leader Amy Taylor, Netherland’s Lauren Holmey and France’s Ariane Klotz.
54 players made the cut which stood at +5. The final round begins at 8:30 am local time with the leaders heading out at 11:20am.
Follow all the action throughout the tournament on the LETAS social media channels – @letaccess on Instagram, X, and Ladies European Tour Access Series on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #Access2Let #MontaubanLadiesOpen.
