American Lewis two ahead at Omega Dubai Ladies Masters

Stacy Lewis shot a steady two-under 70 to strengthen her chances of winning title ahead of the final round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters being held under the patronage of Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Starting the day one in front, the world number three made three birdies and one bogey in her round at Emirates Golf Club to take a two-shot lead over Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum who carded a 69 with Italy’s Diana Luna, Vikki Laing of Scotland and Spain’s Carlota Ciganda moving into a tie for third on six-under 210.

Snapping on the heels of the leaders were the Swedish duo of Louise Larsson and Pernilla Lindberg were one shot further adrift after carding 68 and 75 respectively, raising the prospects of a close finish on Saturday.

Defending champion Shanshan Feng, who opened with a 76, followed his second-round 67 with a 71, quietly moving up the leaderboard and is now at two-under, two behind England’s great Laura Davies, who made a 71.

On a day when players wore pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Arabia Foundation, Chen produced the shot of the day when she aced the 160-yard par-3, 15th, using a six iron, a perfect tee shot which won her gleaming Mercedes Benz E-400 Convertible.

Karl-Johan Sandesjo, general manager of Gargash Enterprises, and Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in Dubai, presented the car keys to Chen.

Two-time major winner Lewis, who shot a blazing 65 in second round, believes she is right up there to go for the title.

“It's always hard to follow up a day like I had yesterday, especially on the greens. It was the kind of day that could have been worse and it could have been better. But, you know, overall, I'm right where I need to be going into tomorrow,” said Lewis, the two-time major winner, who is playing her first event in Dubai.

“I just didn't hit it quite as close; didn't have as many good opportunities at birdie. But still hit a ton of greens and if I can just get a couple more putts to fall early tomorrow, then I think I'll be in a good place.”

Thailand’s Phatlum felt relaxed as she fired a 69 and said that she was aiming to play with Lewis in the last group. Although Laing and Luna both had matching 69s, Ciganda admitted to struggling on the greens.

“I don't think I played that bad. I just missed a few putts. I hit 35 putts. It was tough, a few 3‑putts out there. And then 1‑over on the par 5s, and I was on each of them in two on the greens. There is one more day tomorrow, I will try my best,” Ciganda said.

Laing, who is yet to win on the LET, chipped in for eagle on the third hole which set her up for another solid round.

She said: “I'm happy with the way it went today. I had a few chances out there for birdie, hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens. Just tried to stay patient and made some putts and made a nice eagle, too, which was nice, chipped in. So that always helps.

“I'd have bit your hand off if you had offered me this at the beginning of the week. I'm delighted to be here and playing well and looking forward to tomorrow.”

Luna, who hasn’t played in a tournament for two months, showed why she is always a class act and said: “I'm very confident. I'm playing very well. I made a few mistakes but always well recovered. So I think I'm going to have a good fun tomorrow.”

Final round play starts at 7:35 on Saturday and the leading trio of Luna, Phatlum and Lewis tee off at 11:20.

Leading third round collated scores:
 
205 - Stacy Lewis (USA) 70 65 70
207 - Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 68 70 69
210 - Diana Luna (ITA) 73 68 69, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 67 70 73, Vikki Laing (SCO) 71 70 69
211 - Pernilla Lindberg (SWE) 67 69 75, Louise Larsson (SWE) 72 71 68
212 - Laura Davies (ENG) 70 71 71
214 - Shanshan Feng (CHN) 76 67 71, Sarah Kemp (AUS) 70 72 72
215 - Jing Yan (CHN) 75 72 68, Anne-Lise Caudal (FRA) 72 73 70, Maria Hjorth (SWE) 72 71 72, Charley Hull (ENG) 70 72 73, Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 71 73 71
216 - Maria Balikoeva (RUS) 70 76 70, Nontaya Srisawang (THA) 73 72 71, Mikaela Parmlid (SWE) 72 76 68, Cindy Lacrosse (USA) 73 70 73, Sophie Gustafson (SWE) 73 72 71
217 - Holly Clyburn (ENG) 75 72 70, Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) 71 74 72, Malene Jorgensen (DEN) 73 73 71
218 - Titiya Plucksataporn (THA) 73 74 71, Valentine Derrey (FRA) 70 72 76.

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