Diana Luna will take a one shot lead into the final round of the AIB Ladies Irish Open following another low round in glorious sunshine at the Portmarnock Hotel and Links this afternoon. The Italian’s 67 moved her to seven under and one clear of Sophie Gustafson and Melissa Reid.
Luna, bidding for a second title following her win in Tenerife back in 2004, was calmness personified as she edged ahead of the field at the Dublin course.
“I stayed very calm and patient today, all the way round,” she said afterwards. “I mean, this is a course that needs to accept every single shot-because, of course, links courses get some bounces.”
Gustafson, a three-time Irish Open winner, having won the event in 1998 at Ballyliffin, in 2000 at Faithlegg and at Killarney, matched Luna’s 67 and will hope for a fourth triumph on Irish soil.
“The people and the atmosphere are so great. We always play great courses (in Ireland), links is my favourite,” she said.
Five Irish players made the cut, with amateur Danielle McVeigh leading the way in joint 19th on level par.
There was disappointment, however, for the Maguire sisters as both Leona and Lisa missed the cut.
