Swedish Amateur Nathalie Borg puts a halt to the Danish domination after taking the lead by one shot on a rainy second day at the Smorum Ladies Open by EC Drive.
Despite being affected by two weather delays due to storms, 19-year-old Borg carded a round of 65 (-5) to take the lead ahead of Australia’s Kristalle Blum.
Borg had a steady front nine carding one birdie on the second before finishing her second round with a flourish making an eagle on the 15th and a birdie on 16th and 18th to card seven-under-par.
Speaking about her round Borg said: “It was tough, because of the breaks in between, especially with having three breaks in two days as well but I played solidly out there.
“It feels amazing to be leading after two rounds. didn’t really think about it or expect it.”
Less than five days ago, the Swedish Amateur who quit school at 16 to focus on golf, competed at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship placing 45th.
“I was in the European Championship last week. So, I was tired when I got here but so far, the tournament has been amazing.
“Tomorrow I will just follow my plan. Being in the final group is new territory for me. To get the win will be big for me. Especially as I haven’t played so well, recently. So we will see what happens.”
One shot behind on six-under-par, Australia’s Kristalle Blum, who started on 10, got off to a hot start rolling in birdies on 11 and 15 before two consecutive birdies on 17 and 18.
At the turn, after a break caused by the second weather delay, Blum dropped a shot but soon found her groove rolling in birdies on holes three and five.
Speaking about the round Blum said, “I had a delay before we even started, but this year we’ve suffered a lot of delays, so I think you get used to it by now.
“Everything’s been good in the last few weeks, I just haven’t had it all come together. I’ve been trying to be patient and wait for it to sort of happen. I’m glad today it did.”
Kristalle who is a third-generation professional golfer is supported by her mum this week on the bag, Christine Burton who spent time playing on the Ladies European Tour.
“Mum just got here. I’ve got family now for the rest of the season, which will be quite different but great.
“Mum hasn’t come over and seen me play. She hasn’t really seen me play in Europe since I turned professional so that makes this week special.”
Blum recorded her first victory on the LET Access Series last year after winning by one stroke at the Golf Vlaanderen LETAS Trophy.
This season, Blum has made the cut in five out of seven tournaments and came seventh at the Montauban Ladies Open.
“I like being in the lead, last year when I won, I had a couple of shots lead. So, it doesn’t bother me. I will go out and try to do the same again, stick to my game plan and see what happens.
“The Danish girls have already done a lot this year and got a lot of wins, they’ve been playing well.
“So now it’d be nice to have someone from across the other side of the world get a wind, but yeah, we’ll say it’ll be good. And hopefully the weather’s slightly Kinder tomorrow.”
Overnight leader, Danish amateur Marie Madsen sits in solo third to make up the leading group after strong rounds of 65 and 70.
Madsen said: “Today I’m not really satisfied, but I’m in the leading group now at my first LETAS event.
“Mentally, tomorrow is a new round. I’m not going to think of anything like scores and stuff, we’ll see what the day brings.”
Three players sit in fourth on four under, Danish amateur Olivia Gronborg, Two-time LETAS winner Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen and Germany’s Carolin Kauffmann.
Another Danish amateur, Victoria Kristensen is tied with Sweden’s Corinne Viden in seventh whilst England’s Gemma Clews and Denmark’s Cecilie Finne-Ipsen rounding out the top 10 in ninth.
58 players made the cut which stood at +6.
Tomorrow’s final round starts at 7:30am local time with the leading group going out at 9:20.
Follow all the action on @letaccess on Twitter and TikTok and LET Access Series on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #SmorumLadiesOpen
