Lauren Walsh failed to build on a fast start and heads into the weekend eight shots behind Spain’s Carlota Ciganda in the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España in Malaga.
The Carton House touring professional (24) made four birdies and a bogey in her first eight holes at Real Guadalhorce to get to five-under-par.
But she bogeyed the ninth and 17th to sign for a one-under 71 that left her tied for 23rd on three-under as Solheim Cup star Ciganda made six birdies in a bogey-free 66 to lead by a shot from Slovenia’s Bia Babnik, who shot 67, on 11-under.
At the Asian Tour’s $2.5 million International Series Qatar, Peter Uihlein birdied his final two holes to shoot a one-under 71 and take a one-stroke lead into the final round at a windy Doha Golf Club.
Seeking his second International Series win, the American leads by the minimum from compatriot Zach Bauchou on 13-under-par.
“Yeah, it was hard,” Uilhein said after putting a shine on a lacklustre day with his hot finish.
“I’m pleased, I mean, I hit 16 greens so my two bogeys were on the greens that I missed. So, other than that, it was pretty steady. I don’t feel like I was really ever out of position, and yeah, it was a tough day, I mean, really tough.”
Bauchou shot 70 to sit alone in second place with Italian Stefano Mazzoli, who aced the par-three 17th, and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar four shots off the pace in joint third after 69s.