Sophie Gustafson

(Madrid, Spain – October 5th, 2007) -- Sophie Gustafson set herself up for a second victory in three weeks when she extended her lead after the second round of the Madrid Ladies Masters at Club de Golf Retamares.

The Swede, who won the De Vere Ladies Open at The Carrick on Loch Lomond a fortnight ago, chipped in for an eagle three at the 18th to pull five strokes clear of her nearest challenger, Martina Eberl of Germany.

Gustafson carded a second successive 66, seven-under-par, for a 36-hole total of 14-under-par in the 54-hole tournament. She carded seven birdies, two bogeys and an eagle. At the 18th she hit a superb drive and a four-iron just right of the green before chipping in.

“I actually thought that I played better yesterday but obviously the eagle helped my score,” said Gustafson, who has enjoyed three solid weeks in Europe, having also finished second to Laura Davies in Austria last week.

“Like I said yesterday, you’ve got to hit the fairways here and if you do you can set yourself up for some birdie opportunities.”
Her closest challenger Eberl also performed admirably well, carding a five-under-par 68 to finish on nine-under-par.

Martina Eberl

Eberl came into the week leading The 18 Finest by Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza, which ends on Saturday. She enhanced her chances of winning the season-long tournament by birdying the 17th and 18th holes, which are the final holes to contribute to the event.

“Of course The 18 Finest is a big deal but I just tried to stay calm and do what I did the whole year,” said Eberl, who is aiming for her maiden victory in Madrid. “I never knew which holes counted before but of course this week I know its 17 and 18. It’s just a par three and a par five. You just have to pick the right clubs and hole the putts. It was really good and today I had a great day.

“I came here to play well and today I had nine birdies, a double and two bogeys. Tomorrow I’ll just keep trying to hole the putts. I just had 23 putts and hit 10 greens so I had a good short game going in today. The plan for tomorrow is to stay calm and enjoy it. I’m probably going to play with Sophie and she’s a great player. I’ll just try to enjoy the atmosphere.”

Eberl’s start was phenomenal, birdieing four holes in a row from the third. Although she could not quite reproduce the scoring fireworks on the back nine, she finished strongly with birdies on the last two holes.

Denmark’s Iben Tinning signed for a flawless 68 which took her into a share of third with Sweden’s Linda Wessberg, who carded a 71.

British players Becky Brewerton (68), Lisa Hall (68), Lora Fairclough (69) and Laura Davies (69) shared fifth place on six-under-par. Davies was presented with a cake and champagne at the end of her round, to celebrate her 44th birthday.

Davies celebrates her birthday

“I played well today. Four under was the absolute worst score I could have had so I’m pleased and disappointed in different ways,” said Davies, who won her 68th title in Austria last week.

“If I could have shot four or five better, which I should have done, it would have been nicer, but four-under-par is a good round again. I just keep playing consistent golf.”

Marta Prieto and Tania Elosegui were the highest placed Spaniards on five-under-par and they shared ninth position with Joanne Mills, this year’s Wales Ladies Championship of Europe winner from Australia.