Australia’s Nikki Garrett

(Club de Campo Mediterráneo, Castellón, Spain - Friday 11th May 2007) – Australia’s Nikki Garrett shot a seven-under-par 65 to establish a one shot lead after the second round of the Ladies Spanish Open in Castellon.

The 23-year-old, who won her first Ladies European Tour title at last week’s Tenerife Ladies Open, was in contention for her second victory in as many weeks.

She moved to 11-under in total, with overnight leader Hudson posting a 69 for a share of second at Club de Campo Mediterráneo, home to European and PGA Tour star Sergio Garcia. France’s Gwladys Nocera, who finished second in last year’s tournament, had a 68 and tied with Hudson on 10-under-par.

Garrett made a fast start, with three birdies at the 13th, 14th and 16th holes on her front nine, which was the course’s back nine. Coming home, she carded two further birdies at the second and ninth holes with an eagle at the par-five eighth, where she hit her five-wood approach to seven feet and rolled in the putt.

“Seven under was a personal best for me. I’ve never shot seven-under before so I’m pretty stoked about that,” said Garrett, the 2006 Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year from Shelly Beach in New South Wales.

“Nothing bothers me out there. I like the course. It’s a nice walk and the greens are great. I hit my driver well and putted really well. It’s like going for a Sunday stroll.”

Back-to-back wins would consolidate Garrett’s place as current New Star Money List leader, but she insisted that she was keeping cool under the pressure of maintaining her official European number one status.

“I’m not even thinking about that. I’m a day by day, minute by minute thinker. I’m not thinking about anything other than this afternoon. I’m not worried about it at all,” she said.

Garrett took three putting lessons with NSW based Bruce Howard, known as “The Putting Guru” before she came to Europe and she added: “I’ve taken a few positive things out of that. I’ve got a new putter and they say a change is as good as a holiday! It feels comfortable and it feels nice. My concentration goes up about 99 percent when I’m on the golf course.”

Hudson, who carded four birdies and one bogey in her second round, said: “I’m really happy because it was a lot tougher this afternoon than this morning. The greens were harder and the wind picked up so to score under-par today is pretty good.

“I just made one mistake, at the 14th, which wasn’t really a bad mistake but I recovered quite well. I didn’t miss anything and I’m really pleased with the way I’m playing.”

Nocera, who won three tournaments in 2006, fired six birdies and two bogeys. She said: “It was a little up and down. I had two three putts and made some really good ones. It was much more difficult this afternoon with the wind so I guess it’s a good score.”

England’s Kirsty Taylor had a 70 which took her to eight-under-par and into fourth position. She was three shots off the lead and she said: “You’re always happy to follow up six-under with another sub par round.”

England’s Danielle Masters had a 71 and was on six-under in fifth position, while Sweden’s Louise Friberg also had a 71 and was in sixth position on five-under-par.

Australia’s Sarah Kemp also had a 71 and shared eighth position with six other players on three-under. Her 71 included an ace at the par-three 16th; the course’s signature hole; where she hit a five-iron 154 yards. She then holed her bunker shot at the next.

Seven players retired during Friday’s second round, including six players due to a stomach illness.