DOHA — Nanna Koerstz Madsen fired a commanding second round score of 66 to surge to the top of the leaderboard alongside Lydia Hall on nine-under at the inaugural Qatar Ladies Open (QLO). The 22-year-old Madsen racked up seven birdies to post the joint-lowest round of the week so far, only matched by three other players in the field, including India's Aditi Ashok who posted a 66 Thursday morning. Lydia Hall, who shared the lead after day one, continued her fine showing at Doha Golf Club with a round of 68 as she looks to add to her sole Ladies European Tour (LET) win. Annabel Dimmock and Ashok follow the leading pair in tied-second on eight-under, with Alexandre Vilatte Farret rounding off the top five on seven-under. Madsen, who has already secured five top-ten finishes on tour this year, including her maiden win at the Tipsport Golf Masters, was understandably happy with her all-round game heading into the weekend at QLO. Madsen said: "Nothing was really going bad. My driving was good and the putting was better than the last couple of months. "I've been having a few bad rounds the last couple of months and I don't really know why. I got a new putter this week so I needed a change and that's working pretty well. "I've done a lot of hard work with the putter and when you're tired of something it's good to try something new." Co-leader Hall is also enjoying fresh changes to her game in the form of a new caddy this week, but the Brit maintained that her hot start to the tournament wouldn't change her mentality over the final two days. The 28-year-old said: "I feel quite calm and patient this week. I've got a new caddie on the bag, Paul Doherty. We're working well and he's keeping me in the present." One of the most exciting young talents on tour and certainly one to watch over the final two days will be fan-favorite Aditi Ashok. The Olympian clinched her first ever LET title at her home event, the Hero Women's Indian Open earlier this month, and secured top-ten finishes in four of five events in the run up to her memorable win. The 18-year-old, who played with LPGA and Solheim Cup star Anna Nordqvist for the first two rounds, is not feeling added pressure to prove herself further as one of the best talents in world golf. Ashok said: "You're kind of under pressure when you haven't won a tournament but after the first win you know that your best can win. "To be the first Indian woman to win the Indian Open was great and it got a lot of media attention, so that was good for women's golf in India. I'm feeling confident in my game and today was a great day. I hope I can keep the momentum going." Away from the course, a group of lucky Doha English Speaking School students were treated to an inspirational masterclass with world No. 14 Nordqvist. The session saw the budding young talents try out their newly learnt skills on the driving range, after a fun-charged warm-up in the QLO Village. The QLO Village is expected to see even more action across the weekend, offering a fun-filled, free day out packed full of activities such as mini golf, volleyball, table tennis and football games, as well as a Batak reaction wall and culinary delights from the Belgian Café and rooftop St. Tropez Lounge. The free-to-attend Qatar Ladies Open runs until Saturday at Doha Golf Club. For more information and to download complimentary tickets, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.qatarladiesopen.com" www.qatarladiesopen.com or connect with QLO on social media through Twitter (@qatarladiesopen), HYPERLINK "http://www.instagram.com/qatarladiesopen" Instagram and HYPERLINK "http://www.facebook.com/qatarladiesopen" Facebook
