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Hall takes Dubai lead

DUBAI - Iben Tinning won’t reconsider her imminent retirement, even if she manages to bid farewell in fittingly fine style with victory at the Dubai Ladies Masters.

The Dane, 36, intends to call it a day once her final putt goes down on Saturday at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, where she is primed to challenge at five-under – two off leader Lydia Hall – after the second day’s play.

But, despite clear signs Tinning’s game is still competitive enough at this level to prolong her career, she physically can no longer withstand the rigours of life as a professional golfer.

“No, no – I’m too injured,” the Copenhagen-born putter said when asked if she’d be having any second thoughts in the event of outright success this weekend.

“It’s not possible. There’s pain in my hip and it hurts every time I walk, so it’s not really an option unless – all of a sudden – I get absolutely fit.”

Tinning did admit that winning her last-ever event would feel “great” and, for the time being at least, she wasn’t getting too emotional about the whole experience.

“I’m alright with it to be honest,” she added. “I’m not saying that I don’t feel anything out there and I’m definitely going for more pins than I normally would, because why be a chicken at the last event?

“So, I’m alright with it. It might get worse on Sunday. I don’t know.”

Meanwhile, second-placed Anna Nordqvist, of Sweden, was more than satisfied with her bogey-free round, with five birdies taking her to within one of Hall at six-under.

“It was really solid,” the 23-year-old enthused. “I had a lot of opportunities out there. I didn’t make a ton of them, but I took advantage of a couple so I’m really happy with the day.

“I’m just happy with my game. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and I look forward to a fun weekend. “I just need to go out there and try to shoot as low as I can. You can make a lot of birdies on this course.

“So, I’ll just have to sharpen up my wedges a little bit and try to make birdies and I’ll be good.

“I hit a couple of good putts that didn’t go in; I hit a couple short of the line and they’re not going to go in, so – hopefully – I can give myself a couple of better opportunities on Friday.”

Hall also found getting the ball to drop an area for specific improvement, in spite of – like Nordqvist – feeling confident about the rest of her game.

“I just want to work on some putting,” the Welsh pacesetter said. “I pulled a couple of putts and I’m holding a few shots as well.

“But, I’m pleased and really cannot knock myself too much. I’m really happy with the last couple of days and just looking forward to getting out there again.”

The day ended on a sad note though for Denmark’s Monica Christiansen, who accidently signed for a three – instead of the correct four – at the par-four fifth and was subsequently disqualified.

She would otherwise have made the cut for the weekend and left the course inconsolable in floods of tears.

alex@khaleejtimes.com

Scores

137 - Lydia Hall (WAL) 70-67

138 - Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 70-68

139 - Iben Tinning (DEN) 70-69

140 - Maria Verchenova (RUS) 68-72, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 69-71, Melissa Reid (ENG) 70-70

141 - Christina Kim (USA) 73-68, Carling Coffing (USA) 70-71, Morgana Robbertze (RSA) 69-72

142 - Tandi Cuningham (RSA) 72-70, Bo-Mi Suh (KOR) 69-73, Maria Hernandez (ESP) 70-72, Kym Larratt (ENG) 70-72, Gwladys Nocera (FRA) 73-69, Florentyna Parker (ENG) 67-75

143 - Julie Greciet (FRA) 70-73, Felicity Johnson (ENG) 70-73, Julieta Granada (PAR) 69-74, Michelle Wie (USA) 71-72

144 - Stefanie Michl (AUT) 71-73, In Kyung Kim (KOR) 69-75, Elena Giraud (FRA) 73-71, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 73-71, Caroline Masson (GER) 75-69, Emma Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 71-73