Dubai: World No.3 and double Major winner Stacy Lewis fired a brilliant 65 on Thursday to claim the outright lead after day two of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf Club here.
The 28-year-old American hit four birdies on either nine, with one bogey on the 15th, to make up seven shots after her first day’s two under par performance, moving up from tied for sixth in the leaderboard.
She is now nine under par for the tournament, one shot clear of joint day one leader Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden, who shot a 69 to add to her first day’s 67, and two clear of fellow day one leader Carlota Ciganda of Spain, who followed up her opening 67 with a 70.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Mireia Prat — who also shared the first day’s lead — dropped four shots behind with a second day 76 to take her to one under par overall.
Thailand’s Pornapong Phatlum, who was second and one stroke behind the leading trio after day one, is now fourth in the leaderboard after adding a 70 to her first round 68.
“If you look at the top of the leaderboard four of us have separated ourselves,” said Lewis, who put her improvement from day one down to a grip adjustment on her putter, which allowed her to better control the speed of her putts. “There are four really good players so I’m going to have to keep making birdies and taking care of business.
“I like targets on my back, so I know what I have to do, but at the same time there are still 36 holes so you can’t do too much leaderboard watching.”
Lindberg, who shot two birdies on her outward nine followed by three on her return, blemished her round with single bogeys on either nine.
“I still like going out there trying to just feel the same low expectations and not putting too much pressure on myself,” said Lindberg. “But then I’ve been working with my mental coach this year on being able to step onto the course and handle expectations and pressure. It’s just going to be fun out there for the next two days.
“I’m putting myself up in a good position more often, so I’m just learning every time and you just never know when it’s going to be D-Day for me.”
Meanwhile, Ciganda, who cancelled out two birdies with two bogeys before an eagle on her front nine, before two bogeys levelled two birdies on her return, is taking nothing for granted.
“I’m playing good, but it’s golf,” said Ciganda. “You can hit one ball in the water and make an eight. It’s happened before. I just want to stay in the present and enjoy the moment, tomorrow is a new day. I will try my best and we will see.”
