Anna Nordqvist confident of fitness progress in time for Solheim Cup
Friday 4 August 2017 18:30, UK
Anna Nordqvist is confident she will be back fully fit in time for the Solheim Cup after an encouraging start to the week at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
Nordqvist posted a two-under 70 on Friday at Kingsbarns to stay in touch with the leaders, having been forced to miss last week's Ladies Scottish Open through illness.
The Swede has struggled for fitness since picking up glandular fever during the US Women's Open, with Nordqvist failing to play the number of Ladies European Tour events to automatically qualify for Europe's Solheim Cup team.
Nordqvist will be reliant on a wildcard pick from captain Annika Sorenstam to secure a fifth consecutive European appearance, with the 30-year-old eyeing some rest ahead of a trip to Iowa.
"I'm going to take quite a bit of time off," Nordqvist said. "Just bed rest and so far I'm through 36 holes and I'm feeling fine. Fingers crossed, one more week and I'll be ready.
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"I wouldn't recommend it and I wouldn't want anyone to feel the way I have in the last couple weeks, but I feel like it's getting better.
"I try not to push it too hard, but it's definitely hard, and I love to practise and work hard. It's been a little bit of a different road going into this event and trying to be patient."
Beginning her second round four strokes off the pace, Europe's highest-ranked player birdied the fourth and the seventh to reach the turn in 34.
Nordqvist briefly moved within two of the lead with a birdie-three at the 13th, only to slip back into the group on six under when she missed from six feet to save par at the 16th.
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"I've been hitting it really good the last two days and giving myself chances," Nordqvist added. "I only made two bogeys the first two days, so it's been very solid so I'm very happy.
"I got lucky that I got the morning and afternoon wave, so I got a little bit of time to rest. I was a little bit tired today."
Watch the Ricoh Women's British Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports Golf. Coverage resumes on Saturday from midday.
