In La Sella, the storm is called Helen Briem (-12). The German has shown on the third day of the tournament why all the spotlights of the golf world are focused on her. She will start this Sunday with a stroke advantage over Virginia Elena Carta (-11), her immediate pursuer and three over a trio of golfers.
The best placed Spaniard is Ana Peláez (-8) who will start four strokes from the lead and has created a good opportunity at home. Harang Lee (-7), on the verge of the top ten, will also seek a final round of challenge.
Helen is playing her first professional tournament in the LET in Denia thanks to a tournament invitation. It seems she will never need them again. What a beast. What a way to hit the ball.
Let’s place the phenomenon. Already being an amateur in June, Helen was about to win in the first division. She missed out in the playoff. At just 19 years old, she has just made her professional leap just two months ago. Specifically, right after winning in Spain the European Team Championship and ascending to Number One in the World Amateur Ranking. Weeks before, she had already made history by winning the first three tournaments of the LET Access Series, the second division of the European circuit. Once she turned pro, she has already won a fourth. Of course, she has more than secured her card for next year.
Under pressure, with a stop for lightning. She doesn’t care. Bombs that look like straight darts, precise irons and putts that seem simple. With that simple mechanics, she has been sweeping the field without a problem.
She started the day at La Sella with two consecutive birdies on holes 2 and 3. At that moment, the lightning made the day stop for more than two hours. Normally, a player of that age would have suffered a bundle of nerves during that time in the dining room or waiting for it to resume. She didn’t care. She ate calmly and returned to the field to continue doing her job. Like a serial killer. Coldness and clear mind.
Briem is 1.90 tall and apparently reserved. Her stature intimidates, but her simplicity disarms. She knows she has all the spotlights on her and tries to carry it with all the naturalness that her introverted character allows. Those who have dealt with her personally describe her as very polite. Being shy does not mean that she avoids responsibility: “The first one who is demanding with herself is me, I set the bar very high, I don’t know if I will win tomorrow, but I know that I want to play the Solheim and be in the Games. I’m only 19 years old”. She also admits that she likes to see herself at the top: “I’m not one of those who avoid looking at the leaderboard, I like to see myself up there”.
The end of her round has defined her game very well. A cannon that she has left at the top of the hill when the majority of players leave a blind second shot. She has hit a short iron that has left four meters from the flag with astonishing simplicity. She had an eagle putt that escaped her. Twelve under par and rest for a Sunday round that could be historic.
Four strokes will start Ana Peláez (-8). The Spaniard is creating a victory option: “Tomorrow I go for it all, otherwise I wouldn’t be a golfer. I’m going to give it my all and see if it happens. Anyway, I’m very happy with how I’m playing. I get along super well with my caddie this week, Miguel Bisellac, and I usually make decisions very independently, but with him everything is simpler”. This Saturday she has handed in a card of 69 that puts her in sixth place. A pity the bogey on the last hole that prevented her from finishing even higher.
The second Spaniard on the board is Harang Lee. The Cantabrian has repeated 69 strokes for the second consecutive day and is just one stroke from the top ten. She needs to add as much as possible to fight for the card and sneak into the top ten on Sunday will probably qualify her for the Lacoste Ladies Open next week. A lot at stake for her. One stroke will start Luna Sobrón (-6).
Who has suffered this Saturday what golf is, is Blanca Fernández (-2). She started just one stroke from the lead, but a round of 76 strokes has moved her far from the top positions. Pure and hard learning in what is her debut in the Ladies European Tour. She is still wondering how her ball could have stayed on top of a pine tree on hole 16. That’s golf. Let’s hope tomorrow she comes out to return.
Tied with Blanca is the 2023 champion, Nuria Iturrioz (-2) who has handed in a card of 71 strokes. Marta Martín (-1) will also seek to climb positions this Sunday after having handed in 74 strokes on the movement day.
