– Carlota Ciganda (-11) has taken the lead at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España after the second round. Her plan before starting the tournament was to score five under par each day at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf and, so far, she is following it to the letter. Even better. A card of five under on Thursday and today she reached six under, leaving some clear opportunities along the way.
The Navarrese golfer, who has not yet decided who will be her caddie next season, is accompanied this week by Javier Erviti, a good friend from childhood and well-experienced in these matters. It is a temporary collaboration. We could say that Erviti is always there when Carlota asks, but the plans of the Donostian caddie are different, as he has a commitment for next year with Josele Ballester.
In any case, the pair in Málaga is working brilliantly. Erviti assures that he has similar distances to Carlota with the irons, and that always helps to shape shots and make decisions. It also paid off the two weeks the Ulzama player spent working with Jorge Parada before the LPGA Tour final in Florida. “I was a bit uncomfortable in Asia, I didn’t feel quite right, but we worked well those 15 days and now I’m very comfortable, hitting the ball well,” she says.
The driver has been much better and the irons continue to be more than fine-tuned. Needless to say, if she achieves another two five under par on Saturday and Sunday, it will be very difficult for anyone to take the trophy from her. It’s her plan and she hopes to fulfil it.
– One stroke behind Carlota is Slovenian Pia Babnik (-10), while two strokes further back are Helen Briem (-9) and Pranavi Urs (-9). Youth in power. They are 20, 19, and 21 years old, respectively. Boldness. The three are playing for more than just victory in Málaga. Babnik and Briem can still qualify for the next British Open (the top 15 in the LET order of merit qualify), while Urs, with a win, would give herself a chance to play in the LPGA Q-Series. Much at stake ahead.
– Precisely, the British Open is an important goal for the Spanish players present in Guadalhorce. María Hernández (-7), ninth in the ranking, has it secured, while Marta Martín (-5), Luna Sobrón (-6), or Ana Peláez (-4) have it within reach, although they need to finish a good weekend. Great performance today by Hernández and Sobrón, with rounds of 66 strokes, while Peláez struggled more with a round of 74 strokes, heavily burdened on the par 5s with a +2 score.
– The Spanish amateurs are starring in a nice battle among themselves to be the best when the tournament ends. Carla Bernat (-4) has opened the jar of essences today with a round of 66 strokes, defeating a persistent and annoying jet lag with birdies and caffeine, Paula Martín (-4) has delivered another card of 70 strokes, and Andrea Revuelta (-3) has played under par again, also with 70 strokes. The best part is that all three are convinced they can still have a chance to win on Sunday. Neither the seven and eight strokes advantage with the lead nor the presence of Carlota at the top intimidates golfers who have the word victory engraved between their eyebrows.
– The best round of the day was for Nicole Broch Estrup (-6) with 65 strokes and another notable round of golf from Marta Sanz (-5). She scored 70 strokes and has not yet thrown in the towel on achieving a victory that would return her Ladies European Tour card.
– The downside of the day was for Noora Komulainen (-1). The leader on Thursday has plummeted in the standings with a round of 78 strokes.
