Suzann Pettesen holds a two-shot lead at the Ladies Scottish Open
Sunday 26 July 2015 21:56, UK
Suzann Pettersen will take a two-shot lead in to the final round of the Ladies Scottish Open, with world No 2 Lydia Ko three strokes back at Dundonald Links.
Beginning as overnight joint-leaders, Pettersen recovered from an early blemish at the second to post three birdies over the next six holes on her way to a two-under 70, as Ko stuttered to a one-over 71 after carding four bogeys on the back nine.
“I’m pretty happy,” Pettersen said. “It turned out to be a lot windier than we anticipated and the back nine is playing tough.
“It’s tough to get great chances and the front nine is more scoreable. It’s tough, but a good course with a lot of challenges. You’ve got to be on top of your game.”
Ko twice held the outright lead after carding three birdies over the opening seven holes, but saw her game fall apart after reaching the turn and needed a gain at the par-five last to hold third spot.
"I played really well on the front nine, made a clumsy mistake on three but got myself together and played really solid," the 18-year-old said. "I then made two bogeys in a row and that got in to my head a little bit.
"All my putts were close but just not in and when that happens you don’t know what you’re going to shoot. I’m hitting the ball okay and the putts are on line so at the end of the day it’s very small margins.”
A lowest round of the day from Holly Clyburn, who fired a bogey-free 67, parachuted her in to second spot and within two of the lead, with Dame Laura Davies alongside Celine Herbin on two under after second successive 71.
England’s Charley Hull and Australian Rebecca Artis also had impressive rounds of 68 and 69 respectively to get back to level par for the tournament, with Melissa Reid picking up a shot at the last to join the group six adrift heading in to Sunday's final round.
