Rachel Goodall
England’s Rachael Goodall posted a LET Access Series record low score of 61 on the second day of the Ribiera Sacra Partimonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open as she stormed into the tournament lead. The 28-year-old shot a breath-taking nine-under-par in a dream day on the stunning Augus Santas course.
Goodall began the day with an early dropped shot at the 378-yard second but from there on in she made light work of the Spanish course with a total of ten birdies in the remaining sixteen holes. The English player reached the turn at -2 with a birdie at the third followed by two in succession at the seventh and eighth.
Goodall’s back nine was even more impressive with seven birdies and no dropped shots as she broke clear of the field finishing two ahead of overnight leader Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso. The Englishwoman was understandably delighted with her round and thrilled to break the LET Access Series record:
“I played really well. I hit a lot of fairways. I only went out in two-under-par but I came back in 28 and just holed a lot of putts. I actually missed a short one for birdie on twelve! So, it could have been better but I’m really happy.”
On the back nine in particular, Goodall consistently drove the ball perfectly down the fairway, taking advantage of the firm conditions at the Augus Santas course. The seventh-year professional backed up her impressive work from the tee with strong approach play and even finer play on the greens. Goodall seemingly couldn’t miss with the putter for a stage and put her success down to hard work in between last week’s Saint Malo Golf Mixed Open and this event:
“I didn’t hole many putts last week but I still had a good week. So, I worked hard on it this week and holed quite a few today which was nice.”
Heading into the final round tomorrow with a two-shot lead, Goodall’s strategy is a simple one – more of the same:
“Just to try and make as many birdies as possible because it’s out there for sure. Because it’s quite firm it’s playing a lot shorter than normal. So, I’m just excited for tomorrow.”
Two shots behind the English record holder is day one leader Colombotto Rosso. The 23-year-old had another fine round, -3 for the day leaving the Italian seven-under for the tournament.
Colombotto Rosso began where she left off overnight with four birdies on the front nine to reach the halfway point -3 for the round. The Italian found the back nine harder work but scrambled well with a couple of textbook up-and-downs to save par. Overall, Colombotto Rosso was happy with her second round.
“I think my irons were pretty solid and I played a really good first nine. I struggled a little bit on the back nine but still managed to save some pars.”
Despite Goodall’s heroics up ahead, the Italian youngster kept her focus and remains firmly in the running after two fine rounds at the Augus Santas Resort.
“I just played my own game and saw the result at the end. I’ll just stick to my routine and my strategy, and if a score comes out I’ll be really happy and if not I’m happy about it too.”
For Colombotto Rosso, victory in Spain would be a first professional win whilst the more-experienced Goodall claimed the Turfman Allerum Open crown in 2018. The duo will be in the final pairing on the third and final day of the Ribiera Sacra Partimonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open as the pair bid for the trophy and crucial points in the Race to La Largue.
