Allianz Ladies Slovak Open: Watson in the lead

Sally Watson punches the air during the Curtis cup, she has now taken the lead in the Ladies Slovak Open. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Watson carded six birdies and just one bogey to add a 67 to her opening 69 for an eight-under-par total and three-shot lead over France’s Valentine Derrey and Klara Spilkova of the Czech Republic.

“I think I’m at an advantage coming from Scotland because we play in the wind a lot,” said the 23-year-old LET rookie. “I’m definitely experienced in those sorts of conditions and I putted really well yesterday on these greens.

“When you have a good feel on the greens that carries over and especially when the weather is a little tougher, you’ve got to be able to make the putts. Thankfully today for me they went in.

“Playing in links conditions growing up, you’re used to landing the ball 20 yards short of the pin and being creative around the greens. Sometimes you can use the slopes to your advantage if you can see the shot so I’ve done a good job of that and, when I’ve been in trouble, getting out.

“I’m excited to be in this position as starting out at the beginning of the year, this was one of my goals, putting myself in contention to win. Hopefully I can continue to play solid golf and stick to my process.

“I still feel like I’ve left some shots out there so I’ll continue to sharpen up my mental game and hopefully the putts continue to drop and see what we can do this weekend.”

Overnight leader and fellow Scot Kylie Walker added a 78 to her opening 68 to drop into a share of 15th place.