The final round of the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship may very well look like a duel between Sweden and Spain.
Louise Rydqvist (SWE) is the new leader after three rounds, and will share Saturday’s last pairing with her Swedish compatriot Meja Örtengren.
The biggest move early in the round was made by Meja Örtengren. She went four-under-par on the front-9, despite a double-bogey on the 2nd. Her momentum was disrupted however, with play suspended due to lightning early in the afternoon.
Fewer birdies came from Örtengren after the one hour and 20 minute break, which meant her playing partner and compatriot Louise Rydqvist could retake the upper-hand.
The South Carolina student signed a bogey-free 67, saving a solid par on the treaturous par-5 18th. She takes the top spot of the leaderboard for the first time this week at 10-under-par.
"It was very solid, from start to finish" said Rydqvist after the round. "It was really stress-free until the last hole but I managed to make a par and get out of there so I'm very happy with today."
"I've missed the cut in this event for the past three years and made my way here and in contention and I'm very very happy."
"I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully the putts drop and it could be my day, that would be amazing."
Örtengren will tee off on Saturday with a two-shot deficit, as will Andrea Revuelta. Although she dropped from the top for the first time this week, she still carded a one-under 71 that keeps her very well in contention.
Her playing partner in the penultimate group will be a familiar face, as her compatriot Carla Tejedo rushed to solo 4th place at -7, thanks to four birdies on the last six holes and five-under-par 67.
The future champion could also come from further back, as Rianne Mikhaela Malixi from the Philippines holds 6th place at -6, one stroke in front of a five-player group. Everything will be decided in the final round on Saturday at Messilä.
