Pamela Pretswell survives cut scare in Dubai

Pamela Pretswell’s Ladies European Tour season is going the full distance - but only just.

The 26-year-old from Hamilton endured an uncomfortable few hours before joining fellow Scots Carly Booth, Kelsey MacDonald and Sally Watson in making the cut in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.

Pretswell, lying 15th on the money-list and set to finish the campaign as leading Scot on the LET circuit for the first time, posted a second-round 76 at the Emirates Golf Club to sit on four-over-par.

She was initially below the cut line, above it for a bit, back out again before eventually squeezing into the final two rounds.

“It was a long afternoon of watching live scoring!” admitted Pretswell. “It came down to the last couple of groups but I’m pleased to have made it through and now I’m looking forward to finishing over the season with a good couple of days.”

Lying just outside the top 30 after her opening 72, the former Curtis Cup player dropped three shots in the first four holes, ralled with a couple of birdies early on her back nine before stumbling to two bogeys in three holes.

“I played great yesterday, but not so good today. However, I stuck in there and I’m happy to have two more rounds this season.”

As defending champion Shanshan Feng fron China moved ominously into the halfway lead, Booth and MacDonald shot matching 71s to sit joint-22nd on level-par, three ahead of Watson after her 74.

Feng, the world No 6, was bogey-free again as she posted a second 67 to sit two shots ahead of Laura Davies (68) and five clear of Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum, the winner in 2013.

“I am really relaxed,” said Feng, who is targeting a record third title in Dubai following her success in 2014 and 2012. “I have done well so far and will just keep trying do the same things again.”

Davies is in contention despite playing with a painful torn tendon in her heavily strapped left ankle.

“I don’t think I’m at full power, especially with the driver,” said the world No 1. “I’m not quite hitting it as long as I normally do, and I think it’s that I can’t load up and really get through it because I can feel it a little bit, but maybe that’s helping me hit more fairways.

“In my mind at the start of the week, I thought four 68s would be really good. It might not be good enough, but I would love to shoot two more 68s and see what happens.”

Musselburgh’s Vikki Laing is in danger of slipping out of the top 80 on the money-list, which would mean a visit to the Qualifying School in Morocco next week, after she missed the cut by a shot.

Kylie Walker also made an early exit, as did social media sensation Paige Spiranac from America.

“It was a tough week for me and a lot of stress,” said a tearful Spiranac after second-round 79 to finish on 12-over.

“It was a great learning experience for me and I’m going to take a lot from it. I’m upset because it’s been a so much stress on me and pressure.

“I was invited here and wanted to prove that it was for other reasons than just my social media, but hopefully more people will watch this tournament and watch the next two days and watch the leaders and know how amazing these players are.”