There is no shortage of meteorological metaphors that populate our daily sporting life, whether in the form of proverbs or idioms. Crushing defeats are downpours that fall on the defeated, stadiums roar with thunderous roar and lightning evoke speed and immediacy, although it is also true that English speakers say they have captured “lightning in a bottle” when they achieve an ephemeral and casual triumph. Having seen Luna Sobrón’s start yesterday on the first day of the Santander Tour event being played this week at Real Golf de Pedreña, it is inevitable to think of the forceful electric shocks to describe it, but there is nothing fortuitous about her feat.
The Spaniard started with four birdies in the first five holes and after this brilliant start came more hits to finish the round with a spectacular 64 (-7) that allows her to lead the tournament with a two-stroke margin over the French Céline Herbin. Regardless of the idiomatic twists and turns we may use to describe her performance, the Balearic player has signed her best round as a professional, but in view of her career this year it is clear that this result is not a mirage or a coincidence. Without going any further, in the first round of the Santander Tour calendar Sobrón started with a great 66, the best round among professionals in the Madrid course of Golf Santander, to later win the title. Subsequently, other outstanding performances followed, such as his victory in the Castellum Ladies Open, the Swedish LET Access event, and now he faces the decisive stretch of the season with the guarantees provided by his methodical preparation.
“I am very happy to have achieved this result. I’ve been training hard for a long time, I’ve made small changes in my swing that are already entrenched and, on the other hand, lately I’ve been concentrating on putting,” Sobrón explained. “I really like the greens with speed and it has been easy for me to read the drops. From three meters down practically all of them went in, and on the 17th I putted an eight-meter putt that you don’t expect, but you have a good feeling and in the end it went in. In Palma I have trained on this type of greens, with this speed, and it has been very good for me”.
With a remarkable career as an amateur, Luna Sobrón presented herself in society with a thirteenth place in the 2015 British Open after a great final round of 69 at Turnberry, one of the meccas of golf. The Spaniard did not have too much previous experience at Real Golf de Pedreña, another emblematic course, and was trying to compare the two feats.
“The last time I played here was in a Spanish Championship and I was fourteen years old, so this week I didn’t have many references. The last round of that British Open was unforgettable and very special, but not every day you make minus seven. Without a doubt, this Pedreña round will be in my scrapbook”.
Without wanting to anticipate events, Sobrón is looking forward to a transcendental moment of the season, and is aware that a possible victory in the Santander Tour would serve as a magnificent springboard.
“Now I’m going to play the Open de España. I’m really looking forward to it because I feel very confident, but right now I’m seventh in the LET Access, a few points away from the top 5. That’s why I’m going to play the London event and then play the final of the Santander Tour and the LET Access, in El Saler, to have a wild card and get the card while trying to finish in the top 80 of the LET. Of course, my goal is to finish in America, and that’s why I will also play the second phase of the LPGA Tour school, but I want to be well supported,” explains the player from Palma, showing off her well-furnished head.
Even so, Sobrón has not managed to electrocute all her rivals at the Real Golf de Pedreña, and up to eleven players have finished under par on the beautiful Cantabrian course. The second position, only two strokes behind, is occupied by the French (although “local” to all intents and purposes) Céline Herbin, who continues under the tutelage of Vicente Ballesteros and knows every corner of the course. On paper, the 2015 French Open champion seems the most dangerous rival, but do not rule out the Scottish Laura Murray, third at three strokes, contenders like Nuria Iturrios, Natalia Escuriola or English Keely Chiericato, who have finished with three strokes under par 71 of the course, or Mireia Prat, Patricia Sanz and Silvia Bañón, also located in the top ten.
On the other hand, Spain’s Natasha Fear had one of the brightest moments of the day when she scored a hole-in-one on the 12th, from 110 meters. “There was a bit of a headwind, so I hit an 8-iron just short of the hole, a couple of fingers away. I could clearly see it go in and I was really excited.”
The day of today, Thursday, starts at 9 am and the star match, composed by Luna Sobrón, Céline Herbin and Laura Murray, will start at 11.30 am. All those interested in following the day will be able to do so on the course, as admission is free, or through the live scoreboard on the circuit’s website.
Photographs: Tomás Blanco
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