Hedwall leads Ko at NSW Women’s Open
BY Bruce Young | ALPG Tour | 2011 Women's NSW Open | Round Two | 22 Jan 2011
Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall leads into tomorrow’s final round of the Bing Lee Samsung NSW Women’s Open at the Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney, adding a second round of 68 to lead by one over the brilliant and precocious talent that is New Zealander Lydia Ko.
Hedwall appears on the verge of a great professional career having blitzed the field at the recent Ladies European Tour School following a successful collegiate golfing career in the US. In June of 2010 Hedwall won the NCAA Championship and was voted as the top female amateur golfer in America that same season. She represented Oklahoma State University during her time in the US but will now play the Ladies European Tour having gained only limited status for this year’s LPGA Tour.
She holds only a narrow lead over Ko who at the age of just 13 continues to confound all with her golfing maturity. The Korean born but now Auckland based youngster added a second consecutive 68 to be just one behind and alone in second position.
Twelve months ago, at the age of just 12, Ko finished 7th behind Laura Davies at the Pegasus New Zealand Women’s Open and her performance tomorrow is sure to be one of the features of the day. Surely, in years to come, she is destined to follow in the footsteps of so many of her countrywomen to the top of world golf.
Sarah-Jane Smith kept her hopes alive with a round of 70 to be at 6 under and three behind the lead she sharing third position with New South Wales’ Sarah Kemp.
Katherine Hull will need something special if she is to catch those ahead on day three but she is not completely out of it after a round of 69 left her five behind the leader.
One of the pre tournament favourites, Laura Davies, could only manage a round of 75 and is in 17th position.
