Edmondstown golfer Anna Abom holds a share of the lead after the second round of the Flogas Irish Girls’ Amateur Open Championship at Belvoir Park.
The 17-year-old Ireland underage star recently captured the Royal County Down Scratch Cup and backed up an impressive opening day to shoot 71 for a -7 total alongside Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale) on Saturday.
The English golfer has also been on form of late and claimed the Fairhaven Trophy earlier this month and she shot the joint-low round of the day with a 70.
Overnight leader, and reigning champion, Olivia Costello (Roscommon) had a difficult front nine and dropped two more shots after the turn but three birdies in a row between 15 and 17 ensured she stayed right in contention on -6.
Ten golfers remain under par with one round remaining as the cut line fell at +13 with 40 golfers making it to Sunday while Abom and Adams are the pair to catch at the head of the leaderboard.
“This is definitely up there with one of the biggest (of the year) so I am happy to be contending,” said Abom.
“I didn’t hit it quite as well as I did yesterday but I kept it together. I had a birdie after the double-bogey and that settled my nerves.
“I have been working hard over the winter so it has been nice to see a bit of form. Just sticking to my processes and working out from there.
“I am getting used to the course so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. They are all so good so you cannot take anything for granted. You just need to go out and try and shoot as low as you can.”
Costello held a two-shot lead over Abom and Marie Agnes Fischer (Munchener Golf Club) after the opening round.
She dropped four shots in her front nine until a brilliant revival later in the round, meanwhile Abom took over at the top with five birdies in all before a bogey on 18 cost her sole possession of the lead going into Sunday.
The 13th proved troublesome for Adams but she steadied herself over the remaining holes and a closing birdie forced a two-shot swing at the last.
“It’s been really good, the greens are rolling really well so it helps and there are a good couple of Par 5s out there. It’s nice out there today,” said Adams.
“I had two solid rounds. I’m looking for a win, I had a win a couple of weeks ago so I want to keep the form going.”
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