By Rahul Banerji
Tvesa Malik bought herself a one-way ticket to Europe earlier this summer, and she’s using that motivation to make the most of her time on the continent.
On Friday, the Gurgaon girl equalled her best card on the professional circuit with a 68 in round two of the 2020 Lacoste Ladies Open De France.
That put her in a tie for second four shots behind leader Julia Engstrom of Sweden alongside Celine Herbin of France on 4-under 138.
Coming into the event with a fourth place finish on the Ladies European Tour’s feeder Access Series Flumserberg Ladies Open in Switzerland last week, Tvesa has continued her good form in France.
She opened with a 1-under 70 at the Golf du Medoc’s Chateaux Course on Thursday and improved on that with a second day 68.
Strong starts
As she had on day one, Tvesa opened with a birdie and added another four, but dropped two shots between the seventh and 16th holes.
That has set her up well for a second top-10 finish on the LET after her sixth place at the Hero Indian Open last year.
Tvesa has in fact made good use of her time in Europe. In five appearances so far, she has made the cut thrice and had a 20th place finish at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open two weeks ago with rounds of 70, 72 and 69.
At the Ladies Scottish Open she was 65th (71-74-79-72) and missed out on her maiden major, the AIG Women’s Open where she could not make the cut.
The Czech Open was followed by another missed cut at the Swiss Ladies Open, but she went to the Access Series to tune up for the Lacoste event and has made the most of her time on the Swiss course.
Taking her chances
“I booked a one-way ticket from India so I am glad I have been able to play so much golf,” Tvesa said on the LET’s website.
“It’s been really fun here in France. I am grateful for the opportunity to compete; the course is such a good set up.”
Engstrom had a hole-in-one on her way to the sole lead heading into the final round with a day’s best of 7-under 64 after an opening 70.
Talking of her ace on the 133-yard par three 8th hole, the Swedish teenager told the LET, “It was right at the pin but because of the bunker we couldn’t see if it was in or not.
“When we got to the green, we could only see two balls … and I looked down and there it was. It was a special feeling.”
The 36-hole cut came at 2-over 144 with 36 professionals and one amateur making the final round.
Also read: Tvesa bounces back at Beroun from Women’s Open low
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