VAVROVA LEADS BY ONE 

Slovakia’s Michaela Vavrova, 25, fired a two-under 70 to hold the 36-hole lead of the Women’s Irish Challenge ahead of Friday’s final round on the LET Access Series (LETAS).

At four-under overall, the Slovak golfer has a one-shot lead over Ireland’s Beth Coulter (67) while six other golfers are a further stroke back at two-under for the tournament.

Vavrova is playing her third season on the LETAS and is chasing her first professional win.

“It was a really good round,” she said. “I think conditions today were kind of similar to yesterday but a little windier. The wind switched completely from yesterday so some of the holes were really like new holes.”

“This is my first time (as final round leader). I’m excited. I had a couple good tournaments leading up to this one, but still something was missing. I really hope this week I can do it and finish strong.”

“It will mean a lot to win. I don’t have a win yet and as we all know we need a win to finish top seven (in the LETAS Order of Merit) and that’s my primary goal for this year.”

Vavrova was referring to her tied-12th finish at the LET’s Tipsport Czech Ladies Open earlier in July, where she made a breakthrough in her game.”

“Honestly, that was huge for me,” she said. “I feel like it was a mental point where I was like, okay, this is where I want to play. This is where I want to be. Playing as an underdog, I got a wildcard, so I was like, well, I have nothing to lose.”

“I can just do well. So, I played well, and it showed me that my game on a good week is really up there with the girls. It helped me mentally, believing in myself a little more.”

Before she takes to the course tomorrow, Vavrova will spend her evening taking her hosts in Ireland out for dinner.
“I’m very excited for that because he’s been great to us, both him and his wife,” she added. “They’re just so nice, such sweet people. We stayed with them last year so there’s already a relationship.”

Photo: LET Access Series.