Masson upstages rivals at Women’s Open
BY Bruce Young | Ladies European Tour | 2011 Ricoh Womens British Open | Day Two | 30 Jul 2011
Caroline Masson of Germany leads the Ricoh Women’s British Open through 36 holes, the 22 year old upstaging her more credentialed rivals over one of Britain’s greatest championship layouts, the Carnoustie Golf Links in Angus in Scotland.
Masson leads by one over first round leader Meena Lee and Lee’s fellow Korean Inbee Park, the weather allowing for a lot of low scores over the potentially demanding layout.
Masson, who is in just her second Ladies European Tour season, has yet to win an event there but has put together numerous top ten finishes and as the winner of the Tour School to gain access to the LET in 2010 has always been considered a bright young star.
“I’m playing really well this year, had a couple of top tens, a second place, and I’ve hit the ball really well the whole year, said Masson after her round of 65. “Right now it feels like it’s all coming together. I’m putting well, my short game is all right, and I’m just not in trouble very much on this golf course. Yeah, it feels really, really good right now.”
The former Oklahoma State player has not played a lot of links golf in her career to date. “I don’t want to say much because we have no links courses in Germany. I played the British Am, of course, and I played last year at Birkdale. Not very good, but it was a very good experience. I was playing some links courses and I have some experience, I think, but probably not as much as the local players.”
Defending champion Yani Tseng made a good move on day two adding a round of 66 to move to 8th position and although five behind the leader she has created the opportunity to successfully defend the title she won at Royal Birkdale last season.
When asked if the courses played as easily as it appeared Tseng responded; “Yeah, I think so. I think the course is a little easy today because there’s no wind, it was just very quiet out there. I went out in the morning, so the course was not as hard like yesterday.
“Yesterday the weather is not as good. We played in the afternoon and got a little rain and windy but today was much better. We don’t need rain gear, which is really nice, and really enjoy it out there.”
Of the eight Australians in the field Karrie Webb was the only one to make the cut. The three time winner added a round of 71 to be at 3 under and in a tie for 23rd.
Kristie Smith bogeyed four of her first five holes in round two but still had a chance playing the last to be around for the weekend but a bogey there saw her miss by one.
Sydney’s Frances Bondad dropped four shots in the last four holes to miss by two.
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