(Photo by Tristan Jones/LET)
Nuria Iturrios and Esther Henseleit top a cluttered leaderboard heading into the final round of the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic.
By Kent Gray
Nuria Iturrios has a shot at joining a rare band of back-to-back Ladies European Tour winners but knows the game of golf, not to mention a quartet of pursuers desperately chasing their maiden wins, will ensure her bid for a place in the history books is anything but a cinch.
The 23-year-old Spaniard starts the final round of the $285,000 Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic tied atop the leaderboard with German Esther Henseleit at -9 and has the advantage of being the only player in the top five to have won on tour, as recently as last week at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco. Another German, Olivia Cowan, is third a shot further back while compatriot Karolin Lampert and first-round leader Leona Maguire are at -6 and -5 respectively.
Iturrios would become the first player since India’s Aditi Ashok in 2016 to capture back-to-back titles if she can get over the line today. But given the low scoring for two-thirds of the new-look 54-hole Pro-Am thus far, the six players within five strokes of Iturrios and Henseleit will fancy their chances in Friday’s final round. Even Thai Kanyalak Preedasuttijit, Swede Caroline Hedwall and Finn Noora Komulainen at -4 have given themselves an outside shot.
“It would be awesome, of course, but it’s still 18 holes to play and you never know. It’s golf…” said Iturrios before reflecting on her second round of 68.
“So I want to enjoy it. I want to relax and prepare my mind for tomorrow. I didn’t see the scores, but I’m still feeling good, so let’s keep going.”
Iturrios has only signed for two birdies in the opening 36 holes and has played her last six rounds, including the four en-route to victory in Rabat, in a thoroughly impressive 32-under-par. She certainly seems to have all facets of her game in fine shape.
“I made two birdies from really good bunker shots on holes 10 and 13 [yesterday], where I can reach the greens in two. I love bunker shots, so that’s fine for me. I made some putts and missed some, so we’ll see for tomorrow.”
Henseleit produced the lowest round on Thursday which is even more notable given her 66 included a double bogey on the par-3 17th when she splashed out of a greenside bunker and three-putted. But with four top-10s already in her rookie campaign, the 20-year-old is clearly in a good space.
“My long game is really solid and my ball striking is really good, so my swing is feeling good. I just felt like I could attack some pins and also putted really well, so I had a lot of birdies,” Henseleit said.
“Sadly I had a double bogey on 17, which was not that good, but that happens. I’m still quite happy about my round.”
Claiming a first LET win would obviously be something else to get excited about, not that Henseleit is getting ahead of herself.
“It would mean everything. I think everyone wants to win and to do this in your first year is really good, but there is still one day to go and I’m not thinking of the win. I want to do my best and see what happens.”
Cowan carded a 70 to go with her opening 66 and would love to claim her maiden win in Dubai given her close connections to the Emirate, including a sponsorship deal with JA The Resort.
“I want to go out and play good golf and see what happens: hopefully win.
It would mean the world. It would be amazing. I’ve been close a few times and I’m just waiting for that one little step. It would be amazing, here in Dubai, with my sponsors.”
Leona Maguire is perhaps the closest player to Iturrios and Henseleit with the most to prove. After her sizzling course record 64 on Wednesday, the 24-year-old Irishwoman stuttered to a 75 in the second round – an 11 shot reserve which saw her slide to fifth overnight.
“I didn’t give myself many chances today,” said the former world amateur No.1 before getting into some of the ugly specifics. “On seven, I wanted to hit 7-wood, my caddie wanted me to hit a 9 and I hit a 9 in the water [en-route to a double bogey], which was quite annoying to finish with.
“I didn’t give myself enough chances and didn’t hole any putts, so no birdies today. I need to play a lot better tomorrow and hit my irons better to give myself some more chances.”
