Scot Michelle three clear as she takes control after course record in India
Scotland’s Michele Thomson posted an eight-under-par 64 yesterday to move into a three- shot lead after the second round of the Hero Women’s Indian Open.
The 29- year- old from Aberdeen, who joined the police after quitting professional golf in 2009, before returning to the sport in 2013, collected eight birdies to smash the course record by three strokes at DLG Golf & Country Club’s Gary Player-designed Black Knight Course.
“Performance overall was really good – eight birdies, no bogeys,” said Thomson.
“My irons were solid – that was the main reason for scoring that low – and then I had 26 putts, which helped.
“I didn’t really do much different, just stuck to my strategy and made sure I did everything, went through my routine. I played solid on Friday, en route to an opening 70, I just didn’t hole any putts.”
French duo Camille Chevalier ( 69) and Celine Boutier (66), Australia’s Sarah Kemp (66) and India’s Vani Kapoor ( 68) were tied for second on seven-under-par, with England’s Meghan MacLaren ( 70) and Wales’ Lydia Hall (67) a further two shots back in the 54- hole event.
Gary Stal soared to the top of the leaderboard after carding a bogey-free seven under par round of 64 during Day One of European Tour Qualifying School Final Stage yesterday.
The Frenchman, who held off challenges from Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy to triumph at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in 2015, bagged five birdies and an eagle during an exceptional opening round at Lumine Golf Club.
Starting on the par-4 10th, the 25-year-old began with six consecutive pars before making his first gain of the day at the testing par five 16th – then showed his short game prowess by chipping in for eagle at the 18th.
Stal, who last progressed from Qualifying School in 2013, continued to impress over the front nine, his back nine, by carding four further birdies to sit one shot ahead of Italy’s Andrea Pavan after 18 holes.
“I am very happy with my star t,” said Stal, who competed at Lumine’s Lakes Course today – and will play the Hills Course tomorrow.
“It’s a very long tourney with there being six rounds, but my game is good and we will see what happens.”
Also impressing during the first round in Spain was Pavan, who arrived in Tarragona in fine form having won at Second Stage in Panoramica just six days ago.
After a 65 on the Lakes Course the 28-year-old sits in solo second, with former Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson one of four who sit one shot further back in tiedthird place.