Ten Spanish players have advanced to the title playoffs at the end of the second day of the Spanish Women's Amateur International, Copa SM La Reina, which is being held at the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas.

Dutch player Marieke Nivard, very consistent throughout these first two days of competition, distinguished herself as the best in the qualifying round thanks to a total of 139 strokes (68+71). Just one stroke behind was German Nicola Rössler, leader in the first round, who, like the Dutch player, posted a less brilliant score than on the opening day (68+73).

Both maintained an intense duel throughout the day to acquire the status of seeded player in the round of 16, which gives them a theoretical advantage over the rest of their rivals, among which are the ten Spanish players who have made the cut, set at 151 strokes.

Among them, the most outstanding were Ana Fernández de Mesa from Cadiz - the best score of the day along with the Frenchwoman Marion Ricordeau, with 70 - and Mireia Prat from Barcelona, sixth and seventh classified in this first phase, both with 145 strokes.

Adriana Zwanck from Madrid, a finalist a year ago and winner in the 2003 edition, hopes to repeat that success after also making the cut, in her case with 148 strokes (76+72) and breaking the streak of foreign victories achieved in the last two years in this Women's Amateur Spanish International.

Apart from the three golfers mentioned, the following have reached the round of 16: Ane Urchegui from San Sebastián (148 strokes, 77+71), María Parrón from Murcia (149, 73+76), Inés Díaz-Negrete from Asturias (150, 76+74), Rocío Sánchez from Malaga (150, 75+75), Mandy Goyos from A Coruña (151, 80+71), Elia Folch from Barcelona (151, 77+74) and Nerea Salaverría from San Sebastián (151, 74+77).

Anna Arrese from Barcelona, the 2008 Spanish Cadet Champion, did not achieve that goal, handing in a card of 82 strokes, below the 74 she achieved on the first day.

As for the Canary Island players, none scored fewer than the 151 strokes needed to qualify for the match play bracket. The highest-placed was Lucía Cortezo, who carded a 77 for a total of 153, two strokes above the cut line (38th place). Lara Hernández finished in 46th place with a total of 155 (77+78), while Marta Gutiérrez was 76th with 160 (80+80) and Sonia Cólogan 90th with 165 (80+85).

The title playoffs now begin. The first matches of the 32-player Match-Play bracket will start at 8:30 a.m., with the last match beginning at 9:26 a.m.

In the afternoon, the 16 qualified players will return to the field from 1:10 p.m. to try to qualify for the quarter-finals that will take place on Saturday.

Following these matches, the semifinals will be played, also on Saturday starting at 1:15 p.m., while the final is scheduled for Sunday starting at 9:00 a.m. The tournament closing ceremony and awards presentation will take place around 1:00 p.m. at the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas.

SECOND DAY RESULTS / SECOND ROUND RESULTS
1.- Marieke Nivard (Netherlands) 139 (68+71)
2.- Nicola Rössler (Germany) 140 (67+73)
3.- Lucie Andre (France) 142(71+71)
4. Amanda Strang (Sweden) 143(68+75)
5.- Marion Ricordeau (France) 144(74+70)
6.- Ana Fernández de Mesa (SPAIN) 145(75+70)
7.- Mireia Prat (SPAIN) 145(73+72)
Full results