Portugal’s Bessa stretches lead at Norman Junior Invitational

True contenders in this week’s Greg Norman Academy Junior Invitational placed some distance between themselves and the field on Thursday.

Portugal’s Leonor Bessa opened up a six stroke lead heading into Friday, this after shooting a 2-under 69 during Thursday’s second round of play at the Barefoot Resort Norman Course. The result brings her to even par for the tournament.

Aside from a hiccup on the 12th hole which resulted in a double bogey, Bessa breezed through the course, earning four birdies.

Six strokes behind Bessa is Switzerland’s Azelia Meichtry, whose 2-over 73 on Thursday allowed her to pull into second place. Her fellow countryman Tiffany Arafi follows her up in third at 10-over for the tournament.

As Bessa runs away with things in the girls’ division, things are much closer on the boys’ side.

Finland’s Ilari Saulo and Portugal’s Pedro Lencart head into Friday’s final round of competition at 1-over.

Coming into the day in first place, Lencart shot an even-par 71 to stay there.

However, Saulo did him one better, shooting a 1-under 70 for the round. His final hole of the day proved to be his best one, making an eagle on the 18th.

The pair sit comfortably ahead of Sweden’s Oliver Jacobbson, who is four shots behind for the tournament at 5-over. Germany’s Ferdinand Frederik Mueller is next at 6-over, with Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent next up at 7-over.

Tournament action resumes at 9 a.m. on Friday.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Portugal’s Bessa stretches lead at Norman Junior Invitational."