Matthew, Sergas lead British Open
Ladies European Tour | 2009 Ricoh Womens British Open | Round Two | 01 Aug 2009
Scot Catriona Matthew and US based Italian, Giulia Sergas, lead after the second round of the Women’s British Open and are amongst only four players under par on the demanding Royal Lytham & St Annes layout .
Only four rounds in the 60’s have been recorded in the opening two rounds as strong breezes swept across the Lancashire coast links. Mathew and Sergas, however, both recorded stunning rounds of 67 on day two, Matthew in particular very impressive in the manner she finished off her round with an almost incomprehensible final nine of 30.
After reaching the turn in two over 37 and being 4 over for the tournament at that point, Matthew produced an amazing run starting with an eagle at the 11th, set up by a second from 218 yards to six feet. That was followed immediately by a hole in one at the 12th.
“I had 152 maybe to the hole and just hit a normal 8-iron and was looking good the whole way, just a couple of bounces and popped in,” said Matthew later. She played the stretch of holes between the 11th and 16th in 7 under.
“I don’t think I have ever had two eagles in a row before,” she added. “The wind was from a different direction today, the back nine played downwind and it was definitely easier today.”
Matthew dodged a bullet last week when caught up in a hotel fire in Evian les Bains. "It was about 10.30 it started. I was in bed and my husband was on the balcony on the computer and I thought it was raining and I shouted out, "Oh, it’s heavy rain out. He came in and said, “What on earth are you talking about,” It just got louder and louder and eventually we went and opened the door and it was just flames and smoke outside the door."
Sergas was also impressive on her homeward nine. After reaching the turn in even par she birdied five of the next seven holes to join Matthew in the lead.
Japan’s Yuko Mitsuka at 2 under and Song-Hee Kim at 1 under are the only other two players under par.
World number two Yani Tseng is one of three players at even par and just three behind the lead.
World number one Lorena Ochoa has struggled again and is in 47th position.
The best of the Australians is three time winner of this event Karrie Webb who is in 17th position at 4 over and certainly not out of it despite being seven behind the lead. Katherine Hull was the only other Australian to make the cut in 47th position.
