A cold putter on the back nine was the difference between fifth place and a potential share of the lead for Olivia Mehaffey as she braved difficult conditions at the the LET’s Amundi German Masters.
Though the wind wasn’t as strong as in rounds one and two, heavy rain blitzed Golf and Country Club Sedinner See at stages throughout the round, with players left battling slippery grips and rain gear.
Starting the day two back of Johanna Gustavsson and one behind Kristyna Napoleaova, whom she’d play with in the final three-ball, Mehaffey struck the ball well throughout, giving herself early birdie chances and she’d convert at the par-3 fifth and par-5 sixth holes to move into a share of the lead.
What she’d describe as ‘the one loose tee shot’ of the day came at the eighth, and it would cost her a double-bogey as she’d slip from the lead and a bogey at the par-4 12th dropped her back to -8.
Though she’d continue to strike the ball well, the putts that had been dropping in rounds one and two were now staying out, and she’d par her way to the finish where she’d sign for a one-over 73 and end the day tied for fifth, five shots adrift.
“It was difficult with the weather and there were a few pins on ridges, but I hit it really nicely all day,” Mehaffey said afterwards. “I hit one loose tee shot on eight and actually had to grind it out for the double, but on the back side I gave myself a lot of chances and just couldn’t get any putts to drop, but I’ve been putting well the last two days so of course you’re going to have a day like that.
“I don’t really think about winning or about ranking points or anything like that, I’ve never been like that. Obviously I’ve been battling through a lot and sticking to the small goals and processes that I’ve put in place are the things I’m more focused on, and playing the ‘three hole games’ that I’ve set up with my sports psychologist.
“Just trying to go out there and have fun. I haven’t had the opportunity to play that many weekends this year so I just want to go out there and enjoy being back in contention.”
England’s Cara Gainer has come through to join Napoleaova at the head of affairs on -13, with a two-stroke gap to Diksha Dagar in third at -11.
Mehaffey will play in the third-to-last group alongside French duo Celine Herbin and Nastasia Nadaud, and they’ll tee off at 09:33 Irish time.
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