Dubai-based teenager Chiara Noja, who represents Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, shot a second consecutive round of one under par 71 around the 6,288-yard, par 72 course to lie in fifth place with players still on the course.
The 16-year-old German had nines of 38 and 33, with three bogeys and a birdie on the front nine and a much-improved back nine, with an eagle on the 12th and a birdie on hole 16, with seven pars making up the last nine scorecard.
On completing her round, Chiara told Gulf News: “I feel I am taking my golf game, once again, step by step and, in my opinion, it is trending again in the right direction, which is giving me some confidence. I am not particularly a fan of matchplay as it can turn up some unpredictable results, but let’s see how it all goes tomorrow (Friday).”
Deilert in lead
The leader after round two is still Sweden’s Isabella Deilert on seven under par after rounds of 68 and 69.
At the end of the first two rounds, later today (Thursday), 32 players will qualify for the matchplay and those qualified players will then compete in the matchplay championship on Friday and Saturday, which will see a total of five nine-hole rounds with the semi-finals and final being played on Saturday when the champion will be crowned.
The four-day event will have a €40,000 prize pool in play for the top 45 professionals and ties, however only the 32 players qualifying for the matchplay will be eligible to receive points in the LETAS Order of Merit.
