South African Ashleigh Simon leading the first nine holes at ISPS Handa Portugal Ladies Open
First round of the ISPS Handa Portugal Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour is underway and many of the players have already finished the first nine holes of the round at the warm and windy CampoReal Resort and Spa, 35km north of Lisbon. South African
Ashleigh Simon is currently leading the first nine holes of the round when she made the turn at four-under, 32.
Starting off from the back nine, Simon birdied the 11th, 13th, 17th and 18th to gain a comprehensive lead over the rest of the field. Belgian Christel Boeljon, also started off strongly for her first nine and made
the turn at one-under with a stunning eagle at Par-five, 5th.
Boeljon is coming out of a successful weekend after posting a remarkable victory at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open at National Golf Club in Antalya. She is currently ranked in top ten of the Ladies European Rankings and has already booked a place for this
year’s Solheim Cup.
Malene Jorgensen, Lydia Hall and Belen Mozo are one shot behind the leader for the moment with their three-under, 33.
Spain’s Mozo, who is participating in the event on invitation, blasted off the first three holes with birdies but stumbled with a bogey at Par-three, 13th. Unperturbed, she went over to card another birdie at 17th to close the turn
for three-under.
Sweden’s Louise Stahle also started off on a strong note with three-under but had to settle back for two-under when she dropped a shot at the ninth hole.
Anja Monke, Dewi Claire Schreefel, Gwladys Nocera and Julie Greciet are in contention with their nine-hole scores of two-under.
Last year’s defending champion, Australian Karen Lunn made the turn at one-under. Lunn, who is also 1993 British Open Champion, won the event last year when she overtook Trish Johnson and Iben Tinning with an aggregate of 12-under. She is a staggering nine
times LET winner and despite of her soaring back problems, she will be digging harder to retain the title.
“I normally do play well where I’ve played well somewhere before so in that respect I’m looking forward to it and I know my game’s not far away,” Lunn was talking to the reporters earlier.
A strong field of 126 contenders is currently pitched in for the top slot which has a winner’s share of €30,000.
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