New caddie for Walsh who hunts maiden LET win

Lauren Walsh is aiming to hunt down Mimi Rhodes in the final round of the Joburg Ladies Open after she closed to within three of the lead.

Walsh carded a four-under 69 to climb to nine-under-par and into a share of second place at Modderfontein Golf Club where the tournament has been reduced to 54 holes following Friday’s flooding caused play to be suspended.

The Castlewarden woman hadn’t hit a golf ball in anger since Thursday but wasted no time in finding her stride as she opened with a birdie before rolling in three more on the fourth, sixth and nine holes.

Walsh dropped her old shot at the day at the par-5 10th but recovered with a birdie on the par-5 13th and she lies alongside home favourite Casandra Alexander who will also be looking to stop Rhodes from winning a second successive LET title.

“I’m really happy with the day,” said 24-year-old Walsh. “I had some good golf shots. I probably played better than I did the first day, maybe left a couple of putts out there, but overall I’m happy.

“I’ll approach tomorrow the same way I’ve approached the last couple days. I’m playing well so more of the same. I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, gave myself some chances and just keep having fun,” she continued.

Walsh has a new caddie on her bag this week, Robbie, and it has been a blossoming relationship so far.

“He started with me this week, so obviously, so far, so good, so we’ve worked quite well together the last two days. He’s doing the next couple of weeks with me so hopefully more of the same,” she said.

Rhodes carded a round of 69 to maintain her place at the top on twelve-under-par.

“I was just having fun out there and trying to take advantage of the birdies when I could,” she said.

“I’m just looking forward to tomorrow. I’m not going to try and think ahead too much but I’ll probably have a chilled afternoon now because it’s been a stressful day.

“I’ll just keep my routine the same and fingers crossed for tomorrow.”

Douglas’ Sara Byrne made four birdies and four bogeys in a 73 to share 27th on one-under.