Australian Stacey Keating could not reproduce her form from the first round, however the recent tour winner is just two shots back at the halfway stage of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
rn
Keating is chasing Italy’s Diana Luna who fired a second-round six -under-par 64 to now to the top of the leaderboard at nine-under-par on a day of sunshine at Chantaco Golf Club in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, south-west France.
rn
The five-time Ladies European Tour champion has been close to a victory this season with six top ten finishes, including two second places and was feeling confident in her game.
rn
She said: “I think I’ve been playing very good, the short clubs to the pin, so I had many, many birdie chances. I’ve been playing well with my 8, 9-irons, wedges, so that was the strongest part. I think was pretty windy all the way around but because we are sheltered by the trees, you don’t really feel it.”
rn
Keating followed her opening 62 with a one-over 71 to sit alone in second place.
rn
She was on a roll on Thursday after picking up her first professional victory in Tenerife a fortnight ago but admitted: “It was never going to be the same day as yesterday, was it.
rn
That’s golf, it’s disappointing to not finish under par today but that’s how it goes.
rn
“I just didn’t hit as many greens so I didn’t have as many birdie opportunities. You can’t be making birdies from off the green, can you, so that was about it really.
rn
“I’m contending so that’s nice. There’s a long way to go and I’m looking forward to it. I’m happy with the position that I’m in.”
rn
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Germany’s Anja Monke and local player Anne-Lise Caudal from Saint-Jean-de-Luz share third place at five-under.
rn
Frenchwoman Valentine Derrey, who grew up playing at the club every summer, shares sixth place on four-under with Hannah Jun of the United States and England’s Danielle Montgomery.
rn
Seven players, including Australian Sarah Kemp (66) are a shot further back. Nikki Garrett (70) and Bree Arthur (69) are the next best placed Australians at one-over par and share 25th position. Rebecca Artis (74) made the week-end on the cut number of four-over.
rn
Retired former world number one Lorena Ochoa and England’s all-time great Laura Davies, celebrating her 49th birthday, both comfortably made the cut and ended the day in a share of 25th position, 10 shots off the lead on one-over-par. Ochoa shot a two-over 72 while Davies had a one-under 69.
rn
56 players will contest the week-end, unfortunately Karen Lunn will not be taking part after finishing at seven-over.
rn