Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the PIF London Championship after another stunning display at Centurion Club while Danielle du Toit, who only played after Charley Hull’s 11th-hour withdrawal, captained her team to an astonishing victory on Saturday.
Fuenfstueck fired a 3-under-par 70 to finish on 9-under, three clear of Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who shot a 1-under 72, and the duo of Belgium’s Manon De Roey and Perrine Delacour of France, who recorded the best rounds of the day with a pair of 67s in the Golf Saudi-backed event.
While Fuenfstueck’s lead ebbed and flowed after two late bogeys brought her closer to the field, the biggest drama of the day came in the team event when the quartet led by South African Du Toit burst through the field to claim a one-shot win from the teams led by England’s Georgia Hall and Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland.
Du Toit’s week has been nothing short of extraordinary.
She withdrew after the first round of an event in Sweden after hearing she had become first reserve at Centurion, and late on the Thursday night discovered she was replacing tournament favourite Charley Hull after the Englishwoman withdrew due to injury.
“So I withdrew from the tournament. Then the following day, I got on a plane, and when I landed at Heathrow, I got the call saying I’m now in the tournament.
I played no practice round. I have never seen this course. I played completely blind. I am here”, an incredulous Du Toit told the world’s media.
Du Toit closed birdie-birdie to not only clinch the title but also secure her place in Sunday’s final round with her jubilant team scarcely able to believe what they had achieved.
The story of her team-mates was no less remarkable with Australian Sarah Kemp, recovering from a broken leg sustained in a golf cart accident a year ago, rookie Megan Dennis from England, a former participant in the Aramco Power-Up initiative, and Spain’s Marta Sanz Barrio, the highest placed at 1-under and the only player to eagle the 18th on Saturday, also chipped in with crucial points.
While the team drama was unfolding, Fuenfstueck battled back superbly after a shaky run on the back nine to secure her lead.
After three birdies in four holes before the turn she came back to the field with bogeys at 15 and 17 before another closing birdie restored her advantage.
She said: “I just want to play good golf, that will be my goal tomorrow, put good swings on and see where that takes me at the end of the day. I’m sure we are going to have some big crowds tomorrow so I’m really excited to be in that position again.”
Fuenfstueck will be looking over shoulder for the chasing pack, which includes Golf Saudi ambassador Ciganda who again looked likely to challenge before falling away in the final holes.
She said: “I had a lot of chances, but didn’t make enough putts. I think we have a chance to win. I like the course, it’s a fun course to play, and I think you can even go lower. There are some opportunities. Make a few putts tomorrow, and hopefully that’s good enough to win.”
Big crowds again enjoyed sunny but slightly windier conditions on Saturday, with even warmer weather predicted for Sunday’s dramatic finale.
Many of the on-site activities organised by Golf Saudi were enjoyed by hundreds of local children, parents and fans as the weather continued to bless the third iconic stop on this season’s PIF Global Series.
Golf Saudi’s strategic leadership places the support and empowerment of women golfers at its heart, providing outstanding playing opportunities for the world’s best and introducing the sport to new players and beginners across the world with a range of activities and campaigns.
It is focused on strengthening the golfing ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, driving mass participation in the sport and promoting the Kingdom as a rising golfing, tourism and investment hub.
For more information on the PIF Global Series and the upcoming PIF London Championship please visit: www.pifglobalseries.com
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