(Tenerife, May 3 2002) European number one Raquel Carriedo from Spain fired a one under par 71 to lead on level par after the two rounds of the Euro200,000 Tenerife Ladies Open at Golf del Sur in the Canary Islands.
In near gale force winds by the Costa del Silencio, scores rocketed, but the three-times Tour winner negotiated her way round with three birdies and two bogies to lead Italian Veronica Zorzi by one shot, and by two from England’s Johanna Head.
Marie Laure de Lorenzi from France sits alone in fourth place on three over par, with six players sharing fifth place, Lora Fairclough and Georgina Simpson from England, Marine Monnet from France, Belgian Lara Tadiotto, Diana Luna from Italy and Amanda Moltke-Leth from Denmark, who carded the best of the day three under par 69.
Carriedo showed versatility, tenacity and crafted some creative shots in the howling wind, keeping calm as others were racking up shots on this hilly course.
“I am used to the wind at home, but I never play in it when it’s like that,” said Carriedo about the 40 mph crosswinds.
“I wasn’t expecting too much before this week and I am very happy with the round under these conditions – the wind was not as strong as yesterday, but after the 3rd hole, it was very strong and continued like that all the round.
“I have tried to be “tranquila” when I am out on the course, although it is very difficult to be like that under these conditions!”
Zorzi, playing in the final group, started on the back nine and showed patience as after dropping shots early, to turn in 39. But the 21-year-old from Verona rallied with seven pars and birdies at the second and seventh for her 73.
“I am very happy, “said Zorzi, whose father Adriana carried the bag.
“I have to thank my dad for being a great caddie, it feels very good to be right up there in the first event of my season. Hopefully I can stay inside the top ten, and I’m not thinking of a win just now, I just want to stay calm and see what happens.”
Head, paired with first round leader Suzann Pettersen, struggled at the start with two bogies in the first three holes, but settled to turn in 38. The 29-year-old from Ascot had two birdies ands two bogeys on the back nine for her 74 to keep in the hunt for her first Tour title.
“It was quite good considering,” said Head, who witnessed Pettersen crash to an 11 over par 83.
“Anything can happen out there and unfortunately for Suzann, it happened to her today. Concentration was the key out there today and I managed to grind away, one shot at a time. I got a bit quick sometimes, but overall it was good and over the weekend, I’m just going to play my own game – I’m looking forward to it.”
De Lorenzi was delighted to have played so well. Two bogies and a birdie at the 14th added up to a 73 and the honorary Life member of the Tour was back in the hunt for her 20th Tour win.
“It’s my first time out after being off with tendonitis in my shoulder,” said the 40-year-old Barcelona-based Frenchwoman, who has not played golf since September.
“I had no expectations this week at all and I am glad to be up there. I’m used to playing in the wind as I am a member of Biarritz GC and play a lot of golf at Pals, and El Prat near my home. I’m used to winning tournaments there, so I don’t really mind it. I’m just trying to concentrate and I am really enjoying it.”
Monnet, who is known on Tour as ‘Little Miss Fairways and Greens’, lived up to her nickname, defying the conditions to keep in the hunt for her first win.
Three birdies and three bogies kept her at two over for the event and the 23-year-old from Paris agreed with the rest of the field that conditions were bordering on impossible.
“It’s just so tough out there, every hole is a crosswind and it is playing so hard.”
