Tseng leads disrupted Women’s Open
BY Bruce Young | ALPG Tour | 2011 Women's Australian Open | Round Two | 05 Feb 2011
Defending champion Yani Tseng today reeled off a second nine of 32 in round two of the Handa Australian Women’s Open at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne and has taken the lead in the tournament. One or two players who could potentially impact on Tseng’s lead will be required to complete their second rounds on Saturday morning however including the co-first round leader and world number one Jiyai Shin.
Shin was one of two players tied for second place and two behind when play was called off at 5.03 as a result of threatening weather in the region with play eventually suspended for the day at 6.15pm.
Shin had moved to 7 under through 15 holes and shared second position with former US Women’s Open Champion Eun Hee Ji, Ji having finished her round much earlier in the day.
Tseng was delighted by the manner in which she played. “It is very exciting to be on top again, said Tseng after her morning round. “I know Jiyai is three shots back and I know she is going to finish strong but I played very solid today. I made more putts than yesterday. My driving was very good and so were the second shots.
“I have changed my swing. It is much better on the plane. My backswing isn’t as sharp as last year. I have been working with my new coach, Gary Gilchrist who is in Orlando.
If she is swinging better than last year then it serves ominous warnings so early in the tournament to those chasing her. Last year Tseng produced one of the great rounds of Australian Women’s golf with a final round of 66 over this layout to win.24 year old Ji has not recorded one top ten on the LPGA Tour since her dramatic final hole birdie win the 2009 US Women’s Open, her second win on the LPGA Tour.
Alone in 4th place at present is Jennifer Song who could only add a second round of even par top her opening 67 to be at 6 under.
The group at 5 under includes leading Australian Nikki Campbell amongst others, one of those being American Cindy La Crosse who is 4 under for her round through 12 holes. The 24 year old LaCrosse won three events on the Futures Tour in 2010, including the Tour Championship and led the money list there thereby earning LPGA Tour status in 201.
The cut score looks at this stage to be 3 over with the leading 65 professionals making the cut along with those amateurs inside the cut score.
The leading amateur at present is Korean Annie Choi at 2 under with the 13 year old New Zealander Lydia Ko at even par.
