Three-time LET winner Nuria Iturrioz continued her fine form at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana, posting the second round of 70 (-2) to lead by two shots at eight-under-par from Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald as darkness stopped play at 6.00 pm
With half of the field still to complete their second round, it wasn’t quite the Spanish sun that many are accustomed to in the Costa del Sol but it stayed dry on day two and home-favorite Nuria Itturioz took full advantage of the scoring opportunity, completing as many as 26 holes in an action-packed day in Andalucia.
Chasing her first title since the 2019 OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic, the 25-year-old started her round with a trio of consecutive birdies from the 10th, only to stumble with bogeys on No. 4 and 8.
Looking to become only the second Spanish player in history to win the prestigious tournament, Iturrioz got back to work on the front nine (her back nine), coming home in 34 strokes to assume the halfway lead.
Known for her smiley and passionate demeanor on-course, Iturrioz was seen laughing in the rain of yesterday and commented; “I was smiling yesterday because I remembered my win in Morocco and the weather was similar then so I just managed to get through it. I am glad I kept my patience.”
Paired together with the current Race to Costa del Sol leader and a four-time winner in 2020, Emily Kristine Pedersen, Iturrioz watched as the Dane struggled to find her best form but maintained pace with a one-under-par round of 71.
Finishing in style with a birdie on the 18th to keep touch with the leader, the 24-year-old dialled in a ‘three-quarter nine-iron to 5ft’ before rolling home for a successful day’s work.
With Kelsey Macdonald and Sanna Nuutinen unable to complete their second round, the Dane will have to wait until tomorrow before she learns whether they are paired together in the final group on Saturday but added,
The five-time LET winner already holds an unassailable lead atop the Race to Costa del Sol but continued,
Sandwiched in between Iturrioz and Pedersen at six-under-par in solo second is Scotland’s Kelsey Macdonald. The 30-year-old still has as many as 11 holes to play tomorrow morning but ended her round in style, holing out from 111 yards for eagle on the par five 7th hole, moments before the horn sounded.
Ladies European Tour Release, Nov 27, 2020
