FORSYTH, Ill. — Several players made noise on moving day at the 34th annual Forsyth Classic presented by Decatur Park District, but none were bigger than Nontaya Srisawang (Chiang Mai, Thailand), who shot a bogey-free 7-under par 65 to claim the outright lead after 36 holes.
It brings Srisawang’s two-day total to 12-under par 132, good enough for a one-stroke cushion heading into the final round.
“I hit my tee shot better than yesterday and I can make a putt,” said Srisawang. “First I saw the leaderboard and got a little bit excited. Then I told my friend who caddies for me, if I stay focused what I have to do right now, then I don’t have to worry where is my position. I told her if I can stay with myself, that is my goal.”
Comprising the other half of the final pairing tomorrow is Isi Gabsa (Munich, Germany). The former two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour (LET) Access Series also carded a 7-under par 65 today, only with six birdies, a bogey and an eagle.
“You always hope to be on top of the leaderboard and you work hard, everyone out here is working hard for it,” Gabsa said. “It’s always nice to get the work paid off at the end. I’ve worked a lot on my pitching and short irons, to hit it closer and make more birdies. Those two worked pretty well today.”
Srisawang and Gabsa will tee at 1 p.m. CT tomorrow off No. 1 tee.
“I haven’t been there for awhile, so I’m really excited,” said Srisawang, who has 14 career top-10 finishes on the Epson Tour, including a tied for fourth result in the Four Winds Invitational last week. “I also just want to do the same thing like I stay with myself and stay focused to the shot. Looking forward to tomorrow. I don’t think about if I win or if I not win, just stay the shot and stay with myself.”
Meanwhile, two players sit three shots back of the lead, including Jillian Hollis (Rocky River, Ohio) in her Epson Tour debut. The former University of Georgia standout fired a career best round of 8-under par 64 today. It launched her from tied for 63rd to tied for third after day two.
“I’m pretty relaxed out on the golf course,” said Hollis, who went bogey-free with six birdies and an eagle. “It’s nice finally being out here. I’ve been dying to play a Epson [Tour] tournament this year, but haven’t with school and then last week my body did not want any part of playing golf. Just going to do my thing tomorrow, play another round of golf, maybe try to shoot 63.”
She’ll be joined in the penultimate group by Jenny Haglund (Karlstad, Sweden), the current No. 1 in the Volvik Race for the Card.
So far in her Epson Tour rookie campaign, Haglund has four top-10 finishes, including one win at the Epson Classic. With a winner’s check of $19,500 up for grabs tomorrow, she is looking to cement her position atop the money list.
“I’ve been here a couple of times before now,” Haglund said. “I feel like at least, close too, reaching distance almost every tournament. That gives me a lot of confidence going into tomorrow that if it’s my day, it’s my day. If it’s not then I’ll keep on working. It’s fun just to give myself the opportunity.”
Furthermore, the shot of the day came from Leona Maguire (Cavan, Ireland). She recorded an ace on the par-3 17th from 149 yards with a 7-iron. It is the first hole-in-one in her professional golf career and propelled her to a 4-under par performance today. After two rounds, Maguire is tied for 10th at 7-under par overall.
Heading into Sunday at Hickory Point Golf Course, a total of 67 players made the cut of 3-under par. Play begins at 7:30 a.m. CT tomorrow with all groups starting off No. 1 tee.
Jillian Hollis Interview
Isi Gabsa Interview
Trending on Social
)
)
)
)
