Greta Isabella Voelker Photo credit: Göran Söderqvist
Germany’s Greta Isabella Voekler played some magnificent golf to take the lead at the Neuchatel Ladies Championship. After a battling six-over-par round on the opening day, Voekler shot an unrivalled four-under 67 including four birdies on the back nine.
“I played really well. I made some good approach shots and holed out some good birdie putts, saved some pars and yeah, I was really happy with it.”
The German sits at +2 for the tournament, one of the few players able to shoot a round under par and will hope to replicate her second round form heading into the final day.
“Yesterday was really difficult because of the wind but today it played a little easier, so it was easier to get it close to the flag and hole out some putts. I was just going for around par honestly because it was so tough – and I wasn’t even mad about my six-over (in the first round) – so today was really good for me.”
Joining Voekler with a score in the 60’s was Switzerland’s Caroline Rominger. The home favourite carded an impressive 2-under round of 69, with three birdies down the stretch as the putter started to fire.
“I’ve actually struggled a bit with the greens because they’re so fast, and grainy, and small, but suddenly on the back nine I got some putts rolling in and it was good with three birdies – that helps.”
Following an eight-over 79 in the opening day’s play, Rominger is very much in the championship mix, finishing in a tie for fifth on +6 for the tournament. Having struggled on day one, the Swiss player was pleased she was able to take advantage of the more forgiving conditions:
“Yeah it was a lot easier. It was not as windy, just a little bit breezy but much easier to play than yesterday.”
Overnight leader Annelie Sjoholm also remains firmly in the hunt at the Neuchatel Golf & Country Club, lying just a shot further back at 3-over. The Swede struggled on the tricky front nine, making the turn at four-over. But Sjoholm found her form on the back nine with a classy finish to the round, sinking two birdie putts on the 17th and 18th, to end the day on +3 for the tournament.
Joining the Swede on +3 is Wales’ Chloe Williams. Williams shot an impressive par round of 71 to join Sjoholm in a share for second going into the final day’s play. Despite a costly bogey at the 18th that would have seen her take a share of the lead, Williams ends the day with all to play for having displayed the consistent golf that has seen her holding in a strong position in the LETAS’ season-long Race to La Largue.
With the conditions expected to be calmer on Friday, Voekler’s round of 67 – a whole ten shots better than her opening round effort – will give hope to the chasing pack at the Swiss course. One inspired round is likely to see players shoot up the leaderboard and with a cluster of players within reach of the leaders, the championship is delicately poised going into the final day’s play at Neuchatel.
