23 February 2019: Even as conditions remained tough for scoring, Diksha Dagar and Tvesa Malik engaged in a pitched battle through an undulating third round to post 76 each. The 54-hole lead was at 6-under 210 with an error-free 68 helping Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom take a one-stroke advantage into Sunday at Bonville. The Australian Ladies Classic was poised on a knife’s edge with as many as seven women within four strokes off the lead.
Sagstrom made it look easy on a day when most golfers struggled to cope with the breeze at the Pacific Bay Resort. She made four birdies to give herself a shot at a maiden Ladies European Tour title to add to her successes on the Symetra Tour.
“My goal today was to stay patient and make clear decisions and that’s what I did,” said Sagstrom, who spotted a wild koala sitting on a swinging branch left of the 15th fairway during her round. “I’ve had the same game plan all week so I’ll just go out with the same attitude and hope I can roll those birdies in and win the tournament. I’ve had some experience of being in contention so I’ll go out tomorrow and try my best. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself. It’s just about finding that momentum and enjoying it.”
Marianne Skarpnord, Hannah Green and overnight leader Nuria Iturrios were all tied in second at 5-under through the third round. Norwegian Skarpnord scored an efficient 69 which at one stage seemed set to be the low round of the day. She was five under through her first nine holes before bogeys at the 13th and 15th compromised her round, just a bit.
Green got off to a stinker, conceding a double bogey at the very first hole. But she recovered well from there, scoring four birdies to come home in a 70 to plant herself firmly in contention for Sunday honours.
Like Green, the course shaved off a couple of strokes from Nuria at the very first hole. Unlike the Aussie though, the Spaniard never quite recovered through the rest of the day. Three bogeys in five holes from the 9th and the early damage could not be offset by birdies at the 10th and 15th as she settled for a damaging 75.
Diksha surrendered two bogeys in the first three holes but recovered to even par when she made her second birdie of the round at the 7th hole. Just when it felt like the momentum was turning in her favour, a bogey at the 8th upended her tide and four bogeys in the final six holes left her signing on a 76. Her card contained three birdies, the last of which came at the 510-yard par-5 14th hole.
Tvesa is right behind her younger compatriot, one stroke behind at 9-over 225. She also made a 76 in the third round, hurt mainly by four bogeys in the first eight holes. She did make a couple of birdies on the second nine but it was a case of too little too late as she also conceded a couple of bogeys on that stretch to negate any advantage on her card.
Back at the top of the leaderboard, amateur Doey Choi continued her impressive run. An even 72 containing a lone birdie and a matching bogey left her just two off the pace with 18 holes to play.
Right behind her was the Frenchwoman Celine Herbin, who turned in the low score of the day, a 67. Daniela Holmqvist and Jenny Haglund are a further stroke adrift at 2-under 214. Nanna Koerstz Madsen was in the ninth place after an even effort on Saturday.
Rounding off the top ten marching into the final round are Ursula Wikstrom, Leona Maguire, Kim Kaufman, Tonje Daffinrud and Nicole Broch Larsen.
