Six Share La Sella Open Lead as Storm Delays First Round

• Five players completed rounds of 68 to share the clubhouse lead at La Sella Open.
• Anna Zanusso was also 4-under through 14 holes when darkness stopped play.
• Thunder and lightning caused a two-and-a-half-hour suspension at La Sella Golf.

Ariane Klotz, Caitlyn Macnab, Gemma Clews, Helen Briem and Hannah Screen shared the clubhouse lead after a storm-hit opening day at the La Sella Open in Spain.

Each player signed for a 4-under-par 68 at La Sella Golf, while Italy’s Anna Zanusso reached the same mark through 14 holes. Darkness stopped play at 8.08pm local time, leaving the first round incomplete.

The suspension came after conditions changed. Morning starters played in warm sunshine after overnight storms, but thunder and lightning forced officials to halt play at 2.30pm. Torrential rain flooded sections of the course before play resumed at 5pm.

Klotz recovers from an eight

Klotz produced an eventful 68, making two eagles and recording an eight on the par-4 12th.

“I hit all my bad shots on the same hole,” the 22-year-old from New Caledonia said.

She recovered to finish on 4-under, hitting her approach at the 18th to four feet and converting the eagle putt. It was the first time she had made two eagles in one round.

“I really believe that I’m playing much better golf than last year,” Klotz said. “The results are just not following through. I know I’m super close to a good week and this week might be it.”

South African rookie Macnab joined her despite beginning the morning with a rushed warm-up. Macnab missed few greens until the closing stretch and remained patient when putts failed to drop.

“It’s been a grind,” she said. “As a rookie, I’m putting a lot of work in. My coach has been behind the scenes, so a round like today means a lot and shows that the hard work is paying off.”

Macnab earlier became the first woman to win a professional Sunshine Tour event against a mixed-gender field.

Klotz and Macnab lead on -4 through 12 holes.#LaSellaOpen pic.twitter.com/AKrzXrx8QV

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 17, 2026

Briem returns to familiar ground

Briem, the 2024 La Sella Open champion, made six birdies in her 68, with five arriving on the more demanding back nine. The 21-year-old German won here two years ago at 18-under for her maiden Ladies European Tour title.

“I haven’t played under par in quite a while, so I’m really happy,” Briem said. “It was pretty windy, so a couple of holes played into the wind. Those holes were more difficult, but overall, if you hit the fairways, you get plenty of chances.”

Clews reached the same score with a solid display from tee to green. The Englishwoman said her game plan worked well and planned to retain the same approach for Friday.

Screen finishes strongly after suspension

Screen had completed 15 holes when the storm arrived. She returned on the difficult 16th, made bogey after collecting mud on her ball and recovered that shot with a birdie at the last.

“It all happened in two minutes,” Screen said. “The course was flooded and everyone was soaked through. It was the right decision to come in.”

The Englishwoman also praised the course’s drainage after officials were able to restart play. Zanusso and the other players yet to finish will complete the opening round before the second round proceeds.

The fourth edition of the La Sella Open carries a €1 million prize fund, with €150,000 going to the winner.

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