On a low-scoring opening day at the LETAS finale, Germany’s Hanna Tauber came out firing, carding a career-best 67 (-5) to take the lead at the Iberdrola Calatayud Ladies Open.
It was a steady start to the round with Tauber carding eight pars and one bogey on the front nine. At the turn, Tauber turned up the heat to card two eagles on holes 10 and 12 before following that sensational play with two consecutive birdies and four pars.
Speaking about her first round, Tauber said: “I’m happy with that round. It’s obviously the best round I’ve played all season.
“I don’t know what it was, but it somehow clicked today. I think a 12-meter putt on the 10th was the turning point.”
This week marks Tauber’s first time at Gambito Golf Calatayud, and she has high praise for the course.
“I was super happy the first time I ever stepped on the greens. I like the course, so for me this week was all about having a good finish and getting the boost for Q School.
“I want to finish the season with a good feeling; that’s pretty much all this week was for me.”
Tauber heads into the second round as the clubhouse leader for her first time on Tour. The 20-year-old is pursuing an economics golf whilst balancing a professional golf career.
“I will just try to do the same thing tomorrow as today, so there’s nothing really to change.
“For me, it’s always about being relaxed, because whenever I’m feeling calm, I always play my best, so that’s pretty much it, I need to keep my cool.”
Three players are tied for second including our most recent winner Czechia’s Patricie Mackova.
Mackova clinched her first professional victory at the Lavaux Ladies Open three weeks ago, she followed that up with a round of 68 (-4) today.
“Today was fun. I had a nice group, and I didn’t put myself under a lot of pressure so that helped and I just enjoyed today. It was fun.”
Mackova currently sits fourth on the LETAS Order of Merit. A win this week could threaten Gemma Clews’ current title of leader. The Czech star has her LET card confirmed for next year.
“Every single tournament I want to play my best and I want to give hundred percent because it’s a step forward.
“I need to be 100% ready for next year so that’s what I’m kind of trying to do.”
Another German lies at the top of the tables after day one in Calatayud. Rookie Hannah Karg fired a great opening round of 68(-4) to sit second alongside Mackova, Austria’s Johanna Ebner and home talent Clara Moyano Reigosa.
It was a consistent day for the 25-year-old who is enjoying her first time at the Iberdrola Calatayud Ladies Open.
“I really like it here. I like the warm weather unlike back home. It’s just cold in Germany so I like to be away for a long time, you know, I came here a bit earlier, I’m leaving a day later.”
After a stellar finish to her amateur career where she won both the Danish Amateur and German Women’s Strokeplay, Karg started the season strong with three early top 10s but consistency has been a challenge in the latter half.
After a busy string of events, Karg feels well rested entering this event.
“I went on vacation with my mom to Turkey for almost two weeks and I didn’t take my golf bag.
“I kind of needed a break, not just mentally, but also physically. So that really helped.
“When I started practicing on Monday I kind of felt a bit rusty. I was a bit scared coming here because I didn’t hit it good.”
After a strong first year on Tour, Karg sits 19th on the LETAS Order of Merit and already secured her exemption to the final stage of Q School. This means a privileged position of playing without pressure.
“I could move up in the ranking, but I can’t really do anything about the top seven and I guess I’m fine for the final stage, so I’m just here, trying to enjoy the sun.
“I hit some decent shots and had a had a nice group, too. I really mean that.
“We had a good time. I mean, we’re all in the same position when it comes to the ranking, so we just enjoyed it.”
Behind the pace setters the leaderboard is stacked, with 11 players tied for fifth on three under par, these include LETAS number one England’s Gemma Clews, Ladies Slovak Golf Open winner Anna Backman and France’s Charlotte Liautier and Sweden’s Andrea Lignell who sit ninth and 10th on the Order of Merit, just outside card winning positions.
Spain’s Maria Herraez carded an eagle on the 12th which makes her the overall leader for total number of eagles on Tour. The Spaniard has recorded 16 eagles in 173 rounds.
Round two begins at 8:30am. At the end of the day there will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties.
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