Gwladys Nocera shatters the course record in Round 1 of ISPS Handa Portugal Ladies Open
Gwladys Nocera’s final consultation with her coach Olivier Léglise over a video-link on Skype probably was what made the difference when she went over to shatter the course record on the first day of ISPS Handa Portugal Ladies Open.
The 35-year-old Frenchwoman has a stunning record on the LET and has won 10 times on the tour. She carded six birdies and a dazzling eagle in her round and finished with an eight-under, 64.
“I have a big putting carpet and I put it in my living room. I put the camera on and we just worked on it,” she said. “When you shoot that kind of score you don’t make many mistakes and I putted really well. Last week I struggled with my putting and I saw
my coach; we worked on it and it’s getting back into shape.”
Norcera won her last event at the 2008 Madrid Ladies Masters and also showed up to play in the LPGA in 2009. She has also participated three times in the coveted Solheim Cup as part of the European Team. The golfer is eager to win a tournament on the LET
to confirm her place in the Solheim Cup, scheduled in September.
South African Ashleigh Simon, who was leading the round at the turn, had to settle down for second place, giving into Norcera’s phenomenal charge to the top. She is joined by two more players for the joint second, including Australian Sarah Kemp and Stacy
Lee Bregman.
Simon said while speaking to reporters, “I played really nicely and struck the ball well. Unfortunately I had a double bogey on the fourth hole and that crept up on me but managed to get those shots back and finish six under.”
Simon, who turned 22 on Wednesday, carded eight birdies and a double bogey on the par-three fourth. She is also the winner of Catalonia Ladies Masters champion of 2007.
It turned out to be a warm day at the CampoReal Resort and Spa Course, north of Lisbon and players battered with the tough conditions all day. Kemp was also among the high performers for the day with her round of five birdies, an eagle and two unfortunate
bogeys that kept her from taking the lead.
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