On a day when no other player in the field managed to break 70 in windy conditions, England’s Felicity Johnson shot a bogey-free eight-under par 64 to come out of nowhere and grabbed a two-shot lead after the second round of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
One-over par 73 after her opening round, the 29-year-old from Birmingham made the most of her red-hot irons as she made eight birdies – four on either side of the golf course – to finish on seven-under par 137, two better than overnight leader, England’s Florentyna Parker (72).
India’s Aditi Ashok, the prodigal 18-year-old who could match a 27-year-old record on the Ladies European Tour with a third consecutive victory, shot a two-under par 70 and kept herself in contention.
Ashok was tied third at four-under par along with Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen (71). If she wins on Saturday, she will equal the record of France’s Marie-Laure de Lorenzi, who won three straight titles in 1989.
Defending champion Shanshan Feng could not make a desired move, even though her 70, along with that of six others, was the second best score of the day. The Chinese world No4, the highest ranked player in the field, was tied 13th at two-under par.
But the story of the day was Johnson. Not having the best of seasons on the Tour, she is currently ranked 54th in the Order of Merit, having made only seven cuts in 12 starts. Her previous best this year was a tied second finish in New Zealand, right at the beginning of the season.
Another incredible view of Dubai Marina from @EmiratesGC @OMEGAGolfDubai #DubaiLadiesMasters @Sport360 pic.twitter.com/yVYQlbNmid
— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) December 9, 2016
However, the two-time winner on the LET could feel her form coming back, especially with a 66 during the final stage of the LPGA Tour Qualifying School last week.
On Friday though, she just could do no wrong.
“I hit a lot of really close iron shots. I holed out really well with my putts but I had probably had seven birdie putts within four feet, so that always makes the game a little bit easier,” said Johnson.
“All the ones I hit close, I converted, so just 24 putts. Hitting a lot of good iron shots, you’re going to have a good score.”
Johnson, who started with four birdies in her first five holes, was happy to be in the position she was in, hoping to win her first title since the 2011 Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
“It’s only a three-round event, so you try to put yourself in a good position heading into the final day. I think I did that pretty well today,” she added.
Parker made three birdies and three bogeys in her round of 72, and said she is expecting nothing less than a victory.
The 27-year-old has her mother, Gina, is on her bag this week, and that would be a good omen as the Englishwoman’s last win in 2014 Italian Open came with the same ‘caddie’.
“She has no idea about golf. In fact, I tell her where to stand. That’s what we talk about, where to stand for the next shot and not be in anyone’s way. We just talk about non-golf things,” said Parker, who is fourth in the Order of Merit this year without any win.
“The only thing I haven’t done this year is win and that’s all I’m going to do tomorrow. And I’m just going to go for it. That’s what I’ve got to do. Even if I finish second or third, I’m not really interested.”
