Lauren Walsh eyes maiden LET win in Johannesburg
Kildare’s Lauren Walsh is eyeing her first LET title after firing a four-under 69 to go into the final round of the Joburg Ladies Open just three shots off the lead.
The Carton House touring professional did not get to hit a shot in round two on Friday as play was suspended due to flooding at Modderfontein Golf Club.
With the tournament reduced to 54 holes, Walsh wasted no time when she returned to the course for her second round.
She turned in four-under 33 thanks to birdies at the first, fourth, sixth and ninth and followed a bogey six at the 10th with another birdie at the par-five 13th.
She ended the day tied for second with South Africa’s Casandra Alexander in nine-under, just three shots behind English rookie Mimi Rhodes, who also shot 69 to lead on 12-under.
Rhodes is bidding for back-to-back wins following her victory at the Ford Women’s NSW Open in Australia two weeks ago.
But Walsh (24) is full of confidence and enjoying having a new caddie on her bag this week.
“I’m really happy with the day,” the Castlewarden star said. “I had some good golf shots. I probably played better than I did the first day, maybe left a couple of putts out there, but overall I’m happy.
“I’ll approach tomorrow the same way I've approached the last couple of days. I'm playing well, so more of the same.
“I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, gave myself some chances and just kept having fun.”
As for her new caddie, Robbie, she said: “He started with me this week, so obviously, so far, so good, so we've worked quite well together the last two days.
“He’s doing the next couple of weeks with me so hopefully more of the same.”
Rhodes is looking forward to trying to close out her second win in what has been a dream start to her professional career.
“I was just having fun out there and trying to take advantage of the birdies when I could,” she said.
“I'm just looking forward to tomorrow. I'm not going to try and think ahead too much but I’ll probably have a chilled afternoon now because it’s been a stressful day.
“I'll just keep my routine the same and fingers crossed for tomorrow.”
Douglas’ Sara Byrne made four birdies and four bogeys in a 73 to share 27th on one-under, while Annabel Wilson missed the cut by five strokes after her 77 on Friday.
