Campbell takes Open lead with birdie blitz
BY David Collinge | ALPG Tour | 2007 Women's Australian Open | Round One | 01 Feb 2007
Australia’s Nikki Campbell has blitzed the back nine at Royal Sydney this morning – at one stage she was 8 under after eleven holes. With birdies on 10, 12, 14, 17 and 18, and an outstanding eagle on the par 5 439m 16th, Campbell has been in control of the course all morning. She currently holds a one stroke lead (at minus 6) on day one of the Australian Women’s Open.
Campbell’s nearest rivals are Sarah Kemp (AUS) and Hee Park (KOR) on 5 and 3 under respectively.
Most of the field teeing off from the 10th have found the going difficult, with many losing a shot in their first two holes. Those starting from the first hole have mostly fared better.
American Natalie Gulbis started strongly with a birdie on her first hole. She then lost her way a little, but picked up another stroke on the 16th, before bogeying the 18th to finish the back nine at one under.
Playing in the same group, Nikki Garrett has had a horror morning. After a double bogey on the benign par 4 eleventh, she is currently at 7 over after 10. Unless she can regroup and claw her way back tomorrow – which she has done before – Garrett is in danger of already missing the cut.
Sarah Kemp, currently sitting in 2nd place, had a slow start. She missed an easy birdie at the par 5 13th, but has since picked up five shots in eight holes. With a deserved reputation for finishing strongly, it would be no surprise to see her in the last group or two come Sunday.
A feature of this morning’s play has been the performance of some of the amateurs in the field. Ya-Ni Tseng from Chinese Taipei has fired three birdies in her first five holes. The young South African Ashleigh Simon – touted by many as a future superstar – showed some impressive driving this morning, at one stage making a push for the lead. She has dropped some shots now to be even at the turn, but clearly has the game to master this course and threaten the leaders.
Danielle Montgomery, the English amateur, also looks to have the goods. She has shown some nice short iron work, and was unlucky to miss an easy birdie chance at the 12th. She currently is even with the card after six holes.
Campbell, though, is the star so far today. Playing most of her golf out of Japan nowadays, she has displayed a calm and cool that has brought Royal Sydney to it’s knees. The challenge will be to keep that going.
Yet to tee off are Karrie Webb and defending champion Laura Davies. They will have to draw on all their experience and skill to better Campbell’s outstanding first round. Still, you never know – it’s golf and anything can happen.
Photo – Anthony Powter
