Manon de Roey Photo credit: Adrian Milledge
Day one co-leader Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso was joined by Belgium’s Manon de Roey at the top of the leaderboard after day two at the Stoke-by-Nayland golf course. The pair lie six-under after 36 holes, a shot clear of closest challenger Cloe Frankish.
Colombotto Rosso followed up an opening round of 67 with a one-under 71 on the second day at the Suffolk course with excellent approach play into the greens a feature of the Italian’s round. Starting from the tenth, the 23-year-old had an up-and-down opening nine holes with two birdies and two bogeys to begin the round. Colombotto Rosso was much steadier on the final nine with no dropped shots and a fine birdie at the par-5 second hole to end the day one-under and six-under for the tournament.
“I think my strength were the irons. I played really solidly from 100m so it was really strong.
I think right now my short game is going really well, and yesterday it was my putting. Today – it wasn’t that! But, I’m hoping tomorrow it’s going to be altogether.”
The Monaco resident is in a strong position on the Road to La Largue rankings having recorded a second place finish at Ribiera Sacra, and four further top-10 finishes on this year’s LET Access Series. With a strong mental approach recognised as a key improvement for Colombotto Rosso this season, the Italian is confident of going one better this week after two strong rounds in succession at the English course.
“My game is pretty consistent right now. I’m having more fun, not taking it as a job and I’m enjoying it! That’s the difference mentally.”
Joining Colombotto Rosso at six-under is Belgian Manon de Roey. The 28-year-old is defending the title she won on last year’s LET Access Series and looks comfortable once again at the Stoke-by-Nayland resort after a second successive -3 round of 69.
In contention once again heading into the final day at the WPGA International Challenge, de Roey will look to her experiences last year as she seeks to retain her crown.
“I have good memories from last year and I’m hoping to do it again this year. I went to the spa every day last year and I’m doing the same this year!”
I think my tee shots are pretty good, being in good positions, and then I’m rolling in some putts as well. Take advantage of the par-5s because they’re reachable so I do that, well I tried to do that, and stick to my game plan, look at what I did last year and it’s working well!”
The Belgian has had a season to remember after securing a second LET Access Series title at the Santander Golf Tour LETAS Valencia and also finishing as the highest female finisher in third place at the revolutionary Saint-Malo Golf Mixed Open – the only female golfer in the top-20 at the mixed event.
The final round is poised for a terrific finish with the leading duo just one shot ahead of the in-form Frankish and day one co-leader Rachel Goodall. The English pair are in a cluster of players within touching distance of the leaders and Colombotto Rosso and de Roey will be acutely aware that a third stellar round of golf will be required to clinch the WPGA International Challenge title at Stoke-by-Nayland.
