Nuria Iturrioz (-6) seems to have found a time machine to travel back to the past. In 2019, the Balearic surprised the circuit with an unforgettable double victory in consecutive weeks, first in Morocco and then in Dubai. She is reliving a story with many parallels in Switzerland.
Just five days after claiming the title in Houston, the Son Servera player maintains her winning momentum at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open and, after a second round of 70 strokes, remains in the top five, just three shots behind the leader, the Englishwoman Alice Hewson (-9).
The situation is similar to six years ago and not just because of the possibility of a back to back: she has made a journey of just over eight thousand kilometres between Houston and Switzerland, which is the same distance she had to travel between Morocco and Dubai in a radical change of scenery in a matter of hours. She has also almost mirrored the first two rounds, just one stroke difference, 136 in Switzerland compared to 135 in Dubai. Many players suffer from the victory hangover, but Iturrioz seems to be fuelled by it. Then she linked victories on two continents; now, after conquering Houston, she arrives in Switzerland with the same possibility and ready to repeat the feat.
Her round this Friday was not as explosive as her debut, but very valuable. A one-under-par round, with two birdies and a solitary bogey and with the calmness of someone who feels comfortable at the top of the leaderboard. Nuria keeps her options intact and, above all, conveys the feeling of enjoying the moment, as she did six years ago.
The Spanish prominence in Switzerland is not limited to the Balearic. Harang Lee (-5) confirmed her good start with another solid round of 70 strokes that keeps her in the top ten. The Cantabrian is seeking a result that will allow her to improve in the Order of Merit and secure her full card, and in these two rounds, she has shown she is ready for it.
The great comeback of the day came from María Hernández (PAR). The Navarrese, who had a discreet start, shone with a spectacular card of 67 strokes (-4) to get fully into the weekend. Marta Sanz also responded, signing a great three-under-par and settling in the top 20 with chances to keep advancing.
On the downside, Amaia Latorre and Clara Moyano (+3) fell two strokes short of making the cut, while Marta Martín (+4), Luna Sobrón (+5) and Blanca Fernández (+14) also failed to achieve the goal.
The tournament now opens up with two decisive rounds. Alice Hewson (-9) currently leads, but the shadow of Iturrioz looms over Switzerland. As in 2019, the Balearic is once again on the verge of a historic double that would confirm her as one of the great protagonists of the season in the Ladies European Tour.
