Izki Golf dawned with clouds and calm winds, promising a peaceful first day full of birdies. However, the wind picked up mid-morning, making the course extremely difficult, which was immediately reflected in the players' scorecards. The competition was incredibly close throughout the day, only broken at the very end by an eagle on the final hole for Marta Pérez from Valencia, who finished under par and took the sole lead heading into the final round.
After the opening round, Marta commented that "on a day when I couldn't find my best game, I was lucky enough to sink that eagle on the 18th thanks to that long 15-meter putt." She also made sure to mention her mother, who accompanied her on the day she took the solo lead: "It's been a pleasure having her here with me. Normally it's my father who accompanies me to these kinds of tournaments, and having her here by my side helps me get a different perspective when I'm on the course.".
Just one stroke behind the leader was England's Katrina Gillum, with a total score of 72, saying, "That bogey on the 18th was a shame because I was having a pretty solid round. I'd managed to find my rhythm on the par 5s on the front nine, but in the end, I couldn't finish it off." Along with her, her compatriot Jae Bowers, Linn Wiberg, María Herráez (winner of the first two events on the circuit), and María Villanueva, all at +1, will be vying for the title on a Friday that promises plenty of excitement.
The event had generated considerable excitement in the days leading up to it due to the professional debut of María Villanueva, a member of the Basque Team led by José María Olazábal and Pello Iguarán. The San Sebastián native, who teed off in the final group alongside leader Marta Pérez and María Herráez, had one of the best starts of the day, taking the lead on the third hole with a score of -2. She also came close to scoring an albatross on the 8th hole with a 5-wood that struck the mast, a shot that could have been one of the highlights of the year on the tour. Ultimately, she finished her round with a total score of +1, two strokes off the lead and with serious aspirations of winning on Friday's final day.
In the previous match, Amaia Latorre recorded a total score of +3, so the player from Alavesa will also have a chance to fight for her first win of the season.
About Izki Golf
Known as the best-kept secret of the Álava Mountains, the Izki golf course is located in the town of Urturi, spread across 98 hectares. It was designed by the unforgettable Severiano Ballesteros and opened in 1994. The layout of its holes is notable for its wide fairways lined with oak and holly trees, always respecting native species and their natural environment. For the Santander Golf Tour, the course will be played over 6,300 yards, with a mix of tee boxes from white, yellow, and blue tees.
About the Santander Golf Tour
The Santander Golf Tour is Banco Santander's firm commitment to women's professional golf, and it celebrates its tenth season in 2024. With ten tournaments across Spain—some of them part of higher-level circuits like the LETAS—it is supported by Santander Private Banking, Carmignac, and Santander Seguros as sponsors. Homenaje, Wilson Golf, Toa Shoes, and Estrella Damm are the preferred suppliers. The Royal Spanish Golf Federation, along with the other regional federations through which the circuit passes, provides the remaining essential support for the tour's success.
SOURCE: Santander Golf Tour.
