The Malaga delivered a card of 66 strokes (-7 total, hole in one included) to place second tied at one stroke behind the leader, Sara Kouskova
Marta Martín (three under par) is still in the fight and will be looking for a comeback on the last day of competition
The Tenerife Women’s Open 2025 lived this Saturday a vibrant third day at Abama Golf, marked by the outstanding performance of Ana Pelaez from Malaga, who with a spectacular card of 66 strokes (-6) signed the best round of the tournament and placed in second position tied with -7 to the total, just one stroke behind leader Sara Kouskova.
Pelaez, who had been playing at a good level all week but without finishing with the putt, did a great job this Saturday in a day of golf to remember. Birdies on 3, 6, 11, 17 and 18, and a hole-in-one on the par 3 7th hole -one of the most celebrated moments of the day- boosted her comeback in the standings. The Malaga-born player, very comfortable from the start, was firm in her strategy: “It was a very fun round. I was very calm and I knew I wanted to enjoy it, regardless of the result. I think the key has been to maintain that patient attitude and flow with the game”.
The understanding with her caddie was fundamental. “We’ve known each other for years and there’s an affinity. Although we don’t talk all the time, we always keep the same attitude, both in good and bad shots”, explained Ana. About her hole-in-one, she said: “We were between clubs and I decided to play more conservatively, on the edge of the bunker. When I saw that the ball was going well, I turned around and my teammates started to celebrate. It had gone in! It was a very cool moment, very special”.
Peláez, who already knows what it’s like to win at the LET (Madrid Ladies Open, 2022), did not hide her excitement about competing at home: “I love playing in Spain, I always say that. It gives me a special warm feeling, I feel more relaxed, like in my place. To be able to share weeks like this with the people who support me is a luxury”.
Ahead of her, and taking advantage of the stumble of the Irish Lauren Walsh (who signed +5), was placed as the new leader the Czech Sara Kouskova, one of the fittest players on the circuit. With a round of 69 strokes (-3), the recent winner of the Jabra Ladies Open took the solo lead with a total of -8. Her round included birdies on the 6th, 11th, 14th and 17th holes and a single bogey on the 12th hole. Yesterday I finished very tired because of the humidity, but today I felt comfortable from the start. This course demands to be very present stroke by stroke. I’m happy with how I’m hitting and making decisions,” explained Kouskova, who faces the final day with confidence, but without looking too much at the table: “I try not to think about results. I’m happy to be solid, to make good decisions… and that’s all I can ask for”.
With -7, Pelaez is joined in second position by Finland’s Noora Komulainen (round of -3) and Singapore’s Shannon Tan, who signed the par of the course. One stroke further back, with -6, there is a group of top-level chasers such as Helen Briem, Amelia Garvey, Alessandra Fanali and Emma Spitz. Up to twelve players are placed in a difference of just four strokes, which anticipates a final day of heart attack on Sunday at Abama Golf.
Marta Martin resists and remains in the fight
Among the Spaniards, Marta Martín managed to stay in the top ten despite a round of +2 (74 strokes). “I started very accelerated, but then I focused and got back to my routine. Today I wasn’t so good with the putt, but I’m still confident in my game. The second shot on the 18th, from between the palm trees, was the best of the day. Spectacular,” confessed the Madrilenian, who with a total of -3 still has a chance if she can find her rhythm on the last day.
Blanca Fernandez signed a solid round that leaves her at -1, while Luna Sobron (+3), Clara Moyano (+4) and Amaia Latorre (+6) will try to climb positions in Sunday’s closing round.
Around the green
Four holes in one in three days… and rising
With the holes in one achieved by Mimi Rhodes (hole 7) and Clara Moyano (hole 12) in the first two days, Saturday added two new aces: Ana Pelaez repeated the feat on the 7th and Scotland’s Lorna McClymont did the same on the 4th hole. That makes four holes-in-one in three days and the course record (five) is within reach.
Seven Olympians on the Abama turf
The Tenerife Women’s Open not only stands out for its spectacular scenery, but also for the quality of its field. This week seven Olympic golfers who participated in the Paris 2024 Games are competing: Shannon Tan (Singapore), Emma Spitz (Austria), Sara Kouskova (Czech Republic), Alessandra Fanali (Italy), Diksha Dagar (India), Ursula Wikstrom and Noora Komulainen (both from Finland). All of them (except Ursula) will fight this Sunday to inscribe their name in the history of the tournament… or at least to leave their mark on the island of eternal spring.