France’s Emma Falcher fired a second round of 71(-1) to secure a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Rose Ladies Open at Hanbury Manor Golf.
It was a shaky start for Falcher who started on hole 10 with a bogey but she remained composed to card a further 13 pars, three birdies and one more bogey on her 18th to finish on a total of eight-under-par.
Speaking about her solid second day, Falcher said: “Today was much harder in the weather conditions with the wind. The save shots were just as important as the birdies out there.
“My dad and I managed the conditions so well out there. I also had my college roommate Chantal out watching me and she was a huge support.”
Tomorrow will be Falcher’s first time in the leading group as a professional. Her highest finish so far in her rookie season has been tied 14th.
“I’m not expecting anything tomorrow. I will continue to have fun, have the same routines and I’m very excited.”
Clews had another strong round of 70 (-2) which included three bogeys, three birdies and a stunning eagle putt from six foot on the 17th to finish tied second on seven-under-par.
“Being honest it was a little bit of a struggle out there. I started off okay, steady and I gave myself some chances. Just had some bad bounces but I had a strong finish on both nines.
“Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t give up. The fight is always in me regardless of what’s happening on the golf course.”
Clews has been knocking on the doors of another win since her victory at the Allegria Ladies Open back in May.
It’s been a consistently strong season for the LETAS number one who has had a further six top 10 finishes.
“Obviously I’m hunting the win. I will keep trusting it and I’m really looking forward to getting out there and having some fun.
“The win would be special. It would mean a great deal to win an event on home soil and to be the first English winner of the Rose Ladies Open.”
Muehlbauer had a faultless second round of 69 (-3) to sit alongside Clews in second.
“I’m happy with that round. I approached today like yesterday I wanted to just enjoy it shot by shot. I said yesterday that I really liked the course and I enjoy it out there.
“It would mean a lot to win here especially with so many people watching the final group. The last couple of the winners of this event have gone on to do very well so it would be great to follow in those footsteps.”
Muehlbauer has had a fantastic season on LETAS where she currently sits fourth on the LETAS Order of Merit thanks to two runner-up finishes and a win at the only four round event on the schedule, the PGA of Sweden Championship Landeryd.
The Austrian is out here alone this week but is feeling confident for her winning chances.
“The last two wins I’ve done it on my own. Mentally I’m strong. I know that everyone up there can play well. Whatever happens in the end happens.”
Spain’s Amaia Latorre posted the second best round of the day 66 (-6), an impressive feat given the eighth ranked player received a two-shot penalty yesterday.
“Today proved to me that I am a good player. Yesterday afternoon and night was tough. It gave me a fire in my belly today.
“Those two shots mean a lot of points, rankings and I knew I could let it affect me in a good way or a bad way. I’m proud of that round.”
Latorre has played between LETAS and the LET this season. Her highlight was securing her first professional victory at the Ahlsell Trophy by Destination Jonkoping one month ago.
“The two penalty shots are still there. So, I’m going to try and remember that tomorrow.
“It would mean the world if everything went my way. It’s not easy to win so I’m just going to focus on it being another day of golf. I will try to do my best every single shot and have a good attitude out there.”
It’s a stacked leaderboard and tomorrow could be anyone’s.
Four players are tied for fifth including two more Englishwoman vying to become the first home soil winner of the Rose Ladies Open, rookie Charlotte Heath and three-time LET winner professional Meghan MacLaren.
53 players made the cut which stood at +2.
The final round begins at 7:50am local time with the leading group of Clews and Falcher going out at 12:10.
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