Webb takes command of Australian Open
BY iseekgolf.com | ALPG Tour | 2007 Women's Australian Open | Round Two | 02 Feb 2007
Australia’s Karrie Webb carded a one-under-par 71 on Friday to take a one stroke lead after the second round of the $500,000 MFS Women’s Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club.
The 32-year-old from Ayr in Queensland professed that her golf was “ugly” by her own standards and that her distance control was lacking. Yet despite that she still managed to manoeuvre herself into a dominant position half way through the tournament.
“You know what’s really encouraging is that this time last year, the way I swung it I would have been two-over par. So the good thing about the confidence that I have and the work that I’ve done outside of my game is that I’m able to score even when things aren’t quite right,” she said.
“I call it ’playing ugly’. I don’t know what it looked like from the ropes, but I knew that I was struggling with my distance control. I didn’t putt very well either, today. I didn’t feel as comfortable on the greens as I did yesterday, so that’s why I think I’m pretty happy to get away with one-under.”
Webb, who won five times around the world last season and who rocketed to third on the World Rankings and second on the LPGA money list after two lean years in 2004 and 2005, added: “I’m not playing ’ugly ugly’ where I’m chipping out from trees and stuff like that, and making Houdini pars, but I’m just not doing anything spectacular.”
She was one shot adrift after opening with a 67 on Thursday, but ended her second round on six-under-par 138, one ahead of Taiwan’s Yun Jye Wei, who plays most of her golf on the Japanese LPGA.
Wei, who at 14 years of age wanted to be a professional discus or a shot putter, took up golf after her father convinced her that, if she really wanted a career in sport, she should aim for something long-term.
Since turning professional in 2001, Wei has won three tournaments and ranked 8th on the LPGA of Japan last season. She was not entirely surprised to be in contention and said: “There are a lot of good players here, but I will try my best. If I just follow today’s condition, then I think I have a chance to win, yes.”
Australia’s Nikki Campbell, who also competes on the LPGA of Japan, tacked a 73 onto her opening 67 for outright third place on four-under-par 140.
Meanwhile Sarah Kemp, the overnight leader, fell back into a share of 11th position after a 71.
Amy Yang, who won the ANZ Ladies Masters last year at the age of 16, had a 73 and she shared joint fourth place with Sun Ju Ahn, who had a 72, also from South Korea.
Karen-Margrethe Juul, the reigning Nykredit Masters champion from Denmark, had the best round of the day – a five-under-par 67 – which took her to one-under-par for the tournament in a five-way tie for sixth position.
Source – LET
Photo – Anthony Powter
