Denmark’s Amalie Leth-Nissen continued her fine form to fire a solid second round of 69 (-3) to hold onto a two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Terre Blanche Ladies Open.
Overnight leader Leth-Nissen had a shaky start with two bogeys but soon found yesterday’s form with two consecutive birdies on holes 12 and 13.
It was a familiar story on the back nine with two bogeys in her first two holes before a crucial eagle dropped on her fourteenth hole followed by a birdie and four pars to remain at the top of the leaderboard.
“I felt my game was solid, but the putts just didn’t drop today. The eagle was a relief, I really needed that to get back into the game.
“After yesterday’s seven under I just wanted to stay in the zone and I feel like I really succeeded with that.”
Leth-Nissen turned professional after securing a place on the 2023 Ladies European Tour in December 2022 at the age of 18. As an amateur she rose as high as number 6 in the rankings.
“I’m excited to be in the leading group again, it’s been a few years. It means a lot for me to be in contention again. So, I’m just going to enjoy it tomorrow.
“I’ve been working hard the last couple of years to get back to the game I had so it’s nice and kind of a relief to finally see some results. Me last year would have been very happy.”
Brentcheneff, who started on hole 10 got off to a strong start with three birdies on holes 13, 16 and 18.
At the turn, after a bogey on the par three third hole, the PING Junior Solheim Cup 2024 member bounced back with three consecutive birdies to sit shared top of the leaderboard with a 67 (-5).
Speaking about her round, Brentcheneff said: “It was great, especially the back nine. My putting was on fire which I was really pleased about. It made it fun out there today.
“Today I just wanted to do my best and trust the process. This course suits me well, it’s not too long and the greens aren’t too fast. I’m happy.”
This is Brentcheneff’s second time in the final group at Terre Blanche, after losing out on the win by two strokes last year to 2024 LETAS graduate, Anna Magnusson.
“It’s just a group, like any other you know, I will just do my best. Yet this year I want to win.
“I think my dad will be here tomorrow and my mental coach. I just hope I’m on fire again. Bring it on!”
Swiss amateur Natalie Armbruester sits in solo third on seven-under-par after two rounds of 68 and 69.
“Today required a lot of patience, it was at times tough with the wind, but it was enjoyable.
“My mums on the bag with me, which is new, she’s never caddied for me at a LETAS event. Dad is here too, but he must sit on the sidelines after a knee surgery.”
A 12-year-old Armbruester was told by a family friend who was a member of Terre Blanche that one day she might play here as a professional.
“It always seemed so far away so its special to play the event now all these years later.”
“I’m very excited to play in the final round. I will be nervous because I’ve played with a fellow Swiss player the last two days, so it feels very familiar.
“I know Amalie so I think it will be a fun round, we will play good golf and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Czech’s Patricie Mackova fired a 69 (-3) to sit third on the leaderboard, helped by her first competition hole-in-one on the par 3 third hole.
“It was 140m. I hit my eight-iron, and I just hit it well. I couldn’t see that it was in the hole on the tee. It’s my first hole-in-one in a competition; my first one was in a practice round and no one saw it, so this one is special.
“This week I just want to put together three good rounds. I don’t want to think about the result or how low I need to go. I will swing freely and see how it goes.”
Finland’s Elina Saska, Spain’s Paz Marfa Sans and Sweden’s Andrea Lignell are all tied for fifth.
Three French are tied for eighth; Marine Griffaut, Vanessa Bouvet and amateur Alice Kong.
The final nine holes of the tournament will be livestreamed on the FFgolf and LETAS Facebook pages.
The final round of the Terre Blanche Ladies Open gets underway at 9am, with the leaders teeing off at
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