Christine Wolf has taken an early lead at the Ladies Open by Pickala Rock Resort after posting a bogey-free 65 (-7) to sit one ahead of the pack in Finland.
On an opening day hindered by not one, but two storm delays, the Austrian fired up the flatstick to card seven birdies and eventually secure her best round of the season so far.
“I played really well today, bogey free, so that’s always nice,” Wolf said. “It felt really easy going and I had a lot of fun.”
Starting on the back-nine, the one-time LET winner posted birdies on the 12th, 13th, and 17th before play in Finland came to a halt following an electrical storm at 12:00 local time.
After a three hour delay, Wolf kept her composure to birdie the 3rd, 5th, and 7th hole before setting up another on the par-4 9th following a fine approach.
But with thunder circling Pickala Rock once again, the horn sounded at 16:00 local time leaving the one-time LET winner with another one hour wait to roll in number seven – one which she did in style following the near-nine hour round.
“After the first break I started making some putts as well so that was nice. It was a bit of a long wait for the last putt but I made it as well so all good!
“It’s been a long day, especially when think you’re going to have the afternoon off to chill, but it is what it is. It’s an outdoor sport so you never know what’s going to happen.”
After a lengthy wait, @ChristineWolf89 birdies her final hole to post a 65 (-7) and take the clubhouse lead
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) June 29, 2023#RaiseOurGame | #LETsRockPickala pic.twitter.com/7OGMTrO7KD
Hot on Wolf’s heels on six-under-par after also powering through the delays are Finland’s Linda Osala and England’s Lauren Taylor, the former posting five birdies and one eagle to the delight of the home fans.
Taylor then went bogey-free and carded six birdies including three in a row on the 7th, 8th and 9th to storm into contention with her best round of the season on the Ladies European Tour (LET) season.
“I played solid,” Taylor said, who is yet to miss a cut following the Tour’s restart. “I hit a lot of good iron shots and was able to capitalise on them. With the delay it was a bit difficult but it was difficult for everyone. I had to refocus but overall I was really happy with my day.”
One back from the duo in solo fourth is England’s Annabel Dimmock. The 26-year-old made a hot start in Finland with five birdies on the front nine before keeping her focus on following the two suspensions to post a 67 (-5).
“Today is a complete and utter blur,” Dimmock said. “I came out of the blocks really well. I’ve been hitting it well for a while now and today on the greens things just seemed to drop.
“I came out after the delay and was still playing really nice, I just couldn’t really get a birdie. But it was getting tough out there with tired so I just had to stay focused and finish the job.”
Five players currently sit in a tie for fifth on four-under-par including Finnish amateur Katri Bakker.
With the final group not getting underway until 18:54 local time, the first round will resume tomorrow morning with the exact timings still to be confirmed.
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