Chiara Tamburlini takes a one-stroke lead into the weekend of the Investec South African Women’s Open at the Erinvale Country & Golf Estate. MICHAEL VLISMAS reports.
The Swiss star took the Ladies European Tour by storm last year with her three victories – one of which came in a Sunshine Ladies Tour co-sanctioned event – as she also went on to win the Rookie of the Year award and the overall Order of Merit.
She showed that same level of golf on Friday as she signed for a seven-under-par 65 to lead this field on 11 under par. Her nearest challenger is France’s Perrine Delacour on 10 under after her round of 69.
“I’m really happy with how I played,” said Tamburlini. “Of course I think about last season and winning the Order of Merit, which I’d like to do again. But it’s difficult because there are a lot of good golfers out here. I’m just trying to break it down to small goals for myself. I want to win a tournament again, and to do that I’ve got to hit a bunch of good shots during the week, and that’s what I’m trying to focus on.”
She did exactly this on Friday, and her wedge game in particular was impressive.
“I converted my good approaches, and wasn’t really stressed when I had to chip to make par, so overall it was a really good day.”
The Swiss golfer took advantage of another stunning morning at Erinvale and started her round with consecutive birdies as she made her run at the top of the leaderboard. The wind started to pick up on her second nine, but it wasn’t enough to stop her charge.
“The front nine was still quite calm, but at the turn it got really hot and the wind picked up. The wind was also on-and-off, so you had to adjust all the time. But my game is feeling good.”
Behind her, Delacour is looking equally comfortable on this Gary Player-designed layout. Apart from a three-putt for bogey at the last on Friday, she’s had two days of supremely consistent golf.
“It’s definitely been a good two days. It also helps a lot with this view here. Even after that three-putt at the last, I looked up and thought, ‘OK, it’s just golf’.”
Delacour has looked like she’s just enjoying a social round of golf at Erinvale as she’s calmly gone about her business, and has been happy to carry her own bag this week.
“I’ve been pretty patient out there. I’m carrying my own bag and just enjoying it as much as I can. So I’m just staying patient and trusting the process with my team. I’m definitely looking forward to the weekend. And after my round I relax by watching The Masters, so it’s nice to see some good views there as well.”
Germany’s Aline Krauter is well placed on eight under par after a second round of 71, while Kiera Floyd and amateur Gia Raad are the leading South Africans on seven under par.
Floyd positioned herself for the weekend with a round of 67, while Raad signed for a 70.
As the only amateur to make the cut, the young GolfRSA star will win the Jackie Mercer Trophy for the leading amateur.
Photo: Sunshine Ladies Tour
