Pedersen lets Rookie defence slip to Madsen
Title fight will go right to the wire between Danish pair
The race for Rookie of the Year could go right to the wire at the Ladies European Tour (LET) season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters after Nanna Madsen overtook Emily Pedersen yesterday.
Pedersen, 19, currently leads the Rookie money-list and is over €30,000 (Dh120,484) clear of fellow Dane Madsen, 22.
In order to leapfrog her compatriot at the last hurdle Madsen would need to finish second while hoping Pedersen falls to below eighth in this tournament.
Yesterday only one of the above variables happened when Pedersen added a poor 78 to an earlier 69 to go three over par for the tournament, to sit tied for 48th in the leaderboard. She narrowly avoided the cut, which was made between four and five over to hang on until the weekend.
Madsen, meanwhile, added a 73 to her first round’s 70 to go one under par for the tournament and now sits tied for 14th, seven strokes off second position.
Dejected
“I know Nanna still has to finish second and have a really good tournament,” said a dejected Pedersen, who hit four bogeys, a birdie and a double bogey on her front nine, and two bogeys and a birdie on her return, yesterday. “There are a lot of girls that are playing really good, so she still has to play well for the weekend.
“It’s very disappointing for me, I think this is my worst round of the year, but thankfully I’ve made the cut and I hope I can finish strong and show that my game is good.
“It’s always my goal to be in the top position and be in the last group on the final day, so hopefully I can hit a low one tomorrow. I’m not really thinking about the rookie race.”
Madsen carded a double bogey on her outward nine and three birdies and two bogeys after the turn.
“It hasn’t really been that hard to keep the rookie title off my mind,” said Madsen. “I’m not really thinking about it that much. I’m just hoping to do a good tournament. My game has been struggling recently so it’s just nice to be around even.”
It’s very disappointing for me, I think this is my worst round of the year, but thankfully I’ve made the cut and I hope I can finish strong and show that my game is good.”
Emily Pedersen
Danish golfer