Strauss moves clear at LPGA Q-School

9 August 201 – South Africa’s Bertine Strauss held on to the lead and moved clear of joint second round leader Megan Khang in the third round at the LPGA Qualifying School Stage One in California on Saturday.

Strauss led the first round, but American Khang joined her 10-under-par 134 at the halfway mark at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

The Koster golfer carded a 70 to move into pole position on 12 under 204 and will start the final round two strokes ahead of Khang, who returned a 72.

“Today was a little different than the last two days,” said Strauss. “It felt much harder to put that score together today. I had to rely on my short game.”

Only the top-60 and ties among the 283 that entered at the start of the week, will leave with what they set out for – an invitation into second stage. The current cutline is at three over 219 with 61 players inside the threshold set for advancement.

Meanwhile Wanna Be A Champion stable-mates Nicole Garcia and Ashleigh Simon had mixed fortunes in the second round of the Tipsport Golf Masters in the Czech Republic.

Both players opened with 68s to tie for 12^th.

Garcia navigated the Golf Park Pilsen in 71 strokes to tie for 24^th on 139, but Simon slipped well out of contention with a second 78.

Connie Chen returned a 72 and compatriot Stacy Bregman rallied with a 70 to make the cut, set at even-par 140, but Laurette Maritz missed the cut after signing for 77.

Nicole Broch Larsen and Becky Morgan share the lead at 10-under-par 132.

PHOTO – Bertine Strauss; credit WGSA.