Germany’s Leonie Harm and Switzerland’s Natalie Armbruester share the lead on day one of the Super Bock Ladies Open at Vidago Palace, after the pair opened with rounds of 66 (-6).
Harm, who started on 10, had a shaky start with a bogey on the first before she got the flatstick firing to roll in birdies on holes 14, 16 and 17.
At the turn, the 27-year-old kept the momentum to card a further four birdies to finish at the top of the leaderboard.
Speaking after her stellar first round, Harm said: “I think it’s an incredible golf course. It’s fun to play as it switches between difficult holes and gettable holes.
“I’ve just tried to stay really present in the moment and I did a decent job at that today.”
“For the first time in two and a half years, I’ve had good bounces and not had the maximum amount of punishment for every shot that’s just slightly off. Luck is finally on my side again.”
Harm has played the last few seasons on the LET and recorded a total of eight top 10 finishes, yet the 27-year-old failed to maintain her status on the main tour and has come back to LETAS.
So far this season, Harm has made both cuts with a best result of 29th at the Terre Blanche Ladies Open.
“There’s a lot more golf to play. A lot can happen but I’m excited for the next couple of days.
“It’s my third event on LETAS but I think the courses are tricky. So far there’s not a lot of room off the tee. I’ve struggled off the tee the last two years so it’s great practice.
“It’s cool on LETAS as we get to see locations that we wouldn’t normally, they are off the grid but gorgeous.
“Compared to when I was starting my professional career on LETAS, you can really see the density of women’s professional golf in Europe and how much it has grown.”
Alongside Harm sits Switzerland’s Natalie Armbruester who got off to an inconsistent start carding two bogeys and three birdies in her front nine.
On the back nine, Armbruester settled into play and birdied the 10th followed by five consecutive pars.
The 25-year-old finished the final three holes with a flourish carding birdie, eagle before finishing with another birdie.
“I had some great putts coming into the last few holes but there was no standout part of my game, it was steady all around,” said Armbruester.
“This course is very different to how I’ve expected. I’ve never been to Northern Portugal before, there is a lot more trees and quirky holes. You must be strategic especially on the par fives.
“I know how to plan a course well, so that does play to my strengths.”
Armbruester rescinded her amateur status two weeks ago at the Madaef Golfs Ladies Open Presented by Saidia Resorts.
The 25-year-old played on the LET Access Series (LETAS) as an amateur throughout the 2024 season and in the season-opening event of 2025.
However, after finishing third at the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, the Swiss star decided to turn professional for the rest of the season, a decision she is yet to regret.
“This year feels easier even though I’ve turned professional. I felt like it was now or never. The amateur status was a comfort blanket.
“In the last few events I’ve struggled off the tee, especially in the final round which is held me back in playing for contention.
“So, this week I’m aiming to be more secure and committed off the tee for all three rounds.”
Hot on their heels lies Czechia’s Patricie Mackova, Isle of Man’s Ana Dawson and Iceland’s Ragga Kristinsdottir on five-under-par.
Mackova has made a fantastic start to this season on LETAS with two top five finishes and has put herself in a strong position to make it three.
“I was able to make some birdies early which made me feel more comfortable in the back nine which plays harder.
“I think the course can get tricky and unforgiving. Yet in my practice round I read the course well and that helped me a lot today.
“I just really enjoyed today, and I don’t want to put myself under any pressure for tomorrow to play well.
“I feel like my game is heading in the right direction and I want to enjoy it.”
Day one produced a stacked leaderboard with four players tied for sixth on four-under-par, they were Denmark’s Amalie Leth-Nissen, French amateur Sara Brentcheneff, Sweden’s Isabel Ekstrom and Germany’s Hannah Karg.
