Leona Maguire six off the lead in Portugal

Leona MaguireDefending champion Leona Maguire is six shots off the pace at the halfway stage of the Portuguese Ladies Amateur at Montado Golf Resort near Lisbon.

The 17-year old from Slieve Russell posted a two-over par 74 on a bright and breezy day, reaching the turn in level par before the wind strengthened on the tougher inward nine.

Her sister Lisa played well but was left to rue double bogeys at her first and last holes as she posted a frustrating 76 to finish the second round nine strokes behind Germany’s Rebecca Roeller, who leads the field by four after adding a 74 to her opening 66.

According to the ILGU, Cork’s Gillian O’Leary was more comfortable off the tee but found the greens testing in her 76 while Paula Grant (82) was pleased with her level par opening nine only to drop 10 shots coming home after the misfortune of a lost ball and tree trouble.

The later starters also struggled in the blustery and cold conditions with the average score up four strokes on yesterday’s round.

In the afternoon, Aedin Murphy and Lucy Simpson impressed with solid 77’s while Sarah Cunningham was just one further back on 78, matched by Muskerry’s Jean O’Driscoll earlier in the day.

Louise Mernagh, Victoria Bradshaw and Jessica Carty found putting difficult in the gusty conditions and signed for 83, 85 and 86 respectively.

The top 40 players after Saturday’s third round will make the 54-hole cut.

Portuguese Ladies Amateur Open
After 36 Holes:
140 Rebecca Roeller 66 74
144 Anne Hakula (FIN) 68 76
145 Matilda Castren (FIN) 69 76
145 Baena Sanchez (ESP) 69 76
145 Karlijn Zaanen (NED) 71 74

Irish scores:
146 Leona Maguire 72 74
149 Lisa Maguire 73 76
150 Gillian O’Leary 74 76
154 Jean O’Driscoll 76 78
154 Aedin Murphy 77 77 (38 39)
155 Paula Grant 73 82
155 Lucy Simpson 78 77 (39 38)
161 Sarah Cunningham 83 78
163 Louise Mernagh 80 83 (39 44)
164 Victoria Bradshaw 79 85 (39 46)
166 Jessica Carty 86 86 (40 46)