A DUTCH OF CLASS FROM VAN DAM
Anne van Dam stretched her lead to five strokes on a day of low scoring at the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open yesterday.
The 22-year-old Dutchwoman added a sixunder-par 65 to a pair of opening 66s to move to 20-under-par at Club de Golf Terramar in Sitges.
Caroline Hedwall, who shot a final round of 62 to win the Lacoste Ladies Open de France a fortnight ago, climbed into second with another nineunder-par round, which could easily have been a 59.
A 64 from the South African Women’s Open champion, Ashleigh Buhai, propelled her into solo third on 14-under.
There was another 64 from the Korean amateur Selin Hyun who shares fourth place with Caroline Masson, Thidapa Suwannapura and Celine Herbin.
Meanwhile, Victor Perez came from seven shots behind yesterday to lead by one in his homeland at the end of round three at the Challenge Tour’s Hopps Open de Provence.
Perez carded a four-underpar 68 in windy conditions to move in front on home soil and increase his chance of becoming the first French winner on the European Challenge Tour this season. A bogey on the first hole was Perez’s only blemish on his front nine, carding three birdies alongside five pars to move him into the chasing pack. He continued the charge towards the top with two more gains and a bogey in his first three holes after the turn.
With overnight leader Matt Ford struggling in the wind and dropping back, Perez seized his opportunity as he birdied 14 and 16 to lead by two shots. Even with a bogey on the last, which brought the chasing pack within a stroke, Perez was delighted with his day at Golf International de Pont Royal.