Leona Maguire leads the way at the Aramco Team Series London after a 72 sees her top as we head into day three.
A more difficult day around Centurion today but Maguire got the best of the conditions heading out in the morning groups. This advantage would prove vital with the wind picking up to 25mph as the afternoon wore on. Her Solheim Cup winning teammate Georgia Hall sits second on-6 having carded back-to-back 70s on this tricky par-73.
The two-time LPGA champion, Maguire began on the 10th today and had a tricky opening nine giving two back, on her opener and again on the par-3 14th. Birdie on the par-5 13th helped Maguire to turn on just one-under. Two more birdies on her back nine, the third and again on the par-5 sixth would see Maguire leapfrog Hall and finish her day leading by two.
The team event ended up in a dead-heat between team Hall and team Nadaud on -24 just one shot clear of Maguire’s group. The playoff for the team event will take place at the completion of the individual final round on Friday, a little extra drama to finish off the event on the final evening at Centurion.
Lauren Walsh will head into that final day tied for 25th spot on +2 after her two-over day of 75. A day of two halves for Walsh who came into the week in red hot form after her charge on the final day in Switzerland just four days ago. Beginning on the 10th Walsh would have trouble early on with a disappointing 6 on the par-4 12th. A missed fairway and green doing the damage on her third of the day. Two more bogeys would follow on the par-3 14th and again two holes later and this would see Walsh flirt with the cut line of +6 as she turned for home. A better back nine saw Walsh earn two back on the third and the eighth to sit on +2 for the tournament. With only twelve players under par for the tournament in this big money event, a good final day for Walsh would be a decent earner and a big boost in a star-studded field.
Maguire was on hand to reflect on a tricky day: “It is really windy out there; it’s probably a two to three club wind in places,” said the Cavan woman.
“It’s getting swirly in between the trees as well. You really have to commit to your shots. It’s a tough test out there, you have to take advantage of those par-5s and par is a really good score on quite a few holes out there.’’
“It’s almost playing a little bit ‘linksy’’’ she added.
“The course is drying out, it’s getting firm and fast, and quite strong wind. It was swirling in places, so you’re just trying to hit a few punchy shots that I probably haven’t used in a while. It was definitely a welcome back to European golf. It’s a good test and I enjoyed it.
“Every week you tee it up, you want to do your very best and it’s nice to be back on the LET for a few events this summer. This was always going to be a really good warmup for Evian next week. I will try and play as well as I possibly can tomorrow. I know the forecast looks a bit dodgy, we will definitely get a bit of an Irish day.”
With rain and wind expected, Maguire will begin her charge on day three in the final group from the first with Georgia Hall and Austria’s Sarah Schober. With the forecast looking bleak, it could be a day to defend her lead with smart play tee-to-green for Maguire.
Lauren Walsh meanwhile will head out at 9.20 with Nuria Iturrioz and Dane, Nicole Broch Estrup for company. A low number for the Dubliner on a difficult day will be called for to scare the top of the pack. It looks set to be a fascinating final day at the Centurion Club with both individual and team titles, still to be decided.
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