Beth Allen - Ladies Lacoste Open de France 2016 - © TPlassais / swing-feminin

Brilliant Thursday in the first round, which she had played in 64 (-6), Beth Allen was solid in the second this Friday by making a good 67 (-3). After a bogey at hole number 2, the American signed four birdies at 6, 7, 14 and 15 to take the lead on her own. "I started slowly, but it is sometimes difficult to continue the day after a good game"she says. “I'm glad my game went well towards the end. The return is complicated, you have to hit good shots towards the middle of the greens and allow yourself some uphill putts. I've done pretty well so far, and we'll have to continue like this this weekend ”, underlines the current number 2 in the European ranking. Winner last year of the Ladies European Masters in England, her first victory on the Ladies European Tour, the 34-year-old Californian continues her brilliant 2016 season at Chantaco, marked by five top 10s in twelve tournaments, including a second place in Spain. two weeks ago.

With a total of -8, one stroke behind Allen, two players share the place of runner-up: Florentyna Parker, the leader after the first round, and Diana Luna. The Englishwoman, author of a thunderous start in -5, had a five-stroke lead at the top of the leaderboard, but a much less well negotiated return forced her to settle for a card of 69 (- 1). The Italian, for her part, alternated six birdies and three bogeys for a 67 (-3) of good quality.

Between this leading trio and the rest of the field, a small gap has widened: Céline Herbin and Trish Johnson, who share fourth place at -5, are indeed relegated to four strokes from Allen. If the English, triple winner of the tournament in 1996, 1999 and 2010, achieved the best score of the day playing 65 (-5), the Basque public only had eyes for the French, defending champion. Despite bogeys at 1 and 15, Herbin managed five birdies to make a very good 67 (-3) card and stay in the title race. “I played extremely well today: I took sixteen greens like yesterday, I didn't miss a fairway, and I got closer to the flags”, she says. “It's not the worst score I could have, but pretty much, because I made a lot of really good shots. I'm very happy with my game and can't wait to play this weekend to defend my title to the end. "

Three other Habs are in the top 10 at mid-tournament: Alexandra Vilatte-Farret (70) and Céline Boutier (67) share sixth place at -3, while Valentine Derrey (68) is tenth at -1. Finally, fifty-three players crossed the cut, set at +5 total, including fifteen French.

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