Leona continues Canberra chase with closing eagle
Leona Maguire of Ireland during the first round of the Ladies European Tour’s ACTEWAGL Canberra Classic at Royal Canberra Golf Club, Credit: Tristan Jones
Leona Maguire produced a hot finish for the second day running to keep the leaders in her sights in the ActewAGL Canberra Classic.
The Slieve Russell touring professional (24) was one over for the day with five holes to play but birdied the 14th and 15th before finishing with an eagle three at Royal Canberra's 455-yard 18th to post a second round 68.
She's tied for ninth on five-under par, just six strokes behind the Netherlands' Anne Van Dam and Slovenia’s Katja Pogacar heading into the final round.
Van Dam shot an eight-under 63 in hot and still conditions at Royal Canberra on Saturday to share the lead at 11-under but admitted it could have been much better.
Starting her round with consecutive birdies on the first and second holes, she birdied five holes in a row from the sixth to the 10th.
Anne Van Dam. Credit: Tristan Jones
After missing a birdie chance from 15 feet on the 11th and then three-putting from 20 feet for a disappointing par-four after driving the 277-yard 12th, the 23-year-old from Arnhem fought back with a birdie on the 15th, but three-putted for a par on the last.
The three-time Ladies European Tour winner, who won the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open and Costa del Sol Andalucia Open de España late last year, told reporters that thoughts of a 59 went through her mind after making seven birdies in her first ten holes.
“When I birdied 10, I thought, I need five more birdies, which I think is do-able, especially on the back nine, which is easier. I’m in a good position, and I really like the course. It suits my eye, and I’ve been hitting a lot of good shots, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’d sign for another round like that right away.”
The European Solheim Cup points leader added: “I’m swinging it really good, so I’m going to keep playing aggressively. That’s my game, and I need to keep playing aggressively because that’s how I make my low scores.”
Pogacar, the first player from Slovenia to qualify for the Ladies European Tour, holds a share of the lead and will play in the final group for the first time, with Van Dam and Scot Carly Booth, who carded a 65 and is one shot back on 10-under.
“It feels awesome. I’m really excited,” said the 28-year-old from Ljubljana. “I played some solid shots, and I had to wait patiently for the putts to roll in.”
Booth, who had seven birdies and a bogey, said it was a good putting day. “I was really comfortable over the ball today, and I was comfortable with my putts, so that helped massively.
“I went flying from holes 10 to 12 and birdied those three, which were a bit unexpected really. I hit good shots and saw the putts, so I didn’t make any silly errors.
"I made one bogey where I missed the fairway on the right and blocked myself out but apart from that it was pretty solid, and my pace putting has been really good. That has helped me visualise the pace and line of the putts, and that makes such a difference.
“I’m feeling positive about this year. It’s a new year to get myself in gear, and I feel it’s on the right track, and a lot of it is self-belief. I’m starting to believe in myself again.”
Carly Booth. Credit: Tristan Jones
Jiyai Shin is right behind in a share of fourth position with Belgian Manon De Roey.
Shin played in her first competitive round of the year on Friday but was back in the swing with a 64 on Saturday.
Shin said: “I feel better. I played pretty well and had a bogey-free round, so I’m happy with that. I’ve enjoyed my last few days here, and unfortunately, I only have one more day, but I’ll try my best. I can feel how much I want it, so I will try.”
Swede Madelene Sagstrom lies in sixth, and Hannah Green is the best of the Australian contingent in a share of seventh with Meghan MacLaren.
