Holly Clyburn shot a seven-under 65 yesterday to take a share of the second-round lead with fellow Briton Catriona Matthew at the Women’s Australian Open.
Clyburn and 1996 champion Matthew (69) had 36-hole totals of eight-under 136 on The Grange’s West course.
They held a one-stroke lead over four players — Germany’s Caroline Masson (71), China’s Lin Xiyu (67), South Korea’s Jenny Shin (70) and Haru Nomura of Japan (68).
Another stroke back at six-under after a 71 and alone in seventh place was five-time champion Karrie Webb. She had a 67 on Thursday.
“It was a bit scratchier today. I wasn’t as sharp with my iron play,” Webb said. “I still hit 14 greens, but didn’t have a lot of decent looks at birdies. I just really hung in there.”
Canadian-based South Korean Kim Soo-bin, the first-round leader who shot a course-record 63 on Thursday, bogeyed five of her final seven holes yesterday for a 77 and fell to four-under, tied in a group four behind the leaders.
World No. 1 and defending champion Lydia Ko had a second consecutive 70 and was also at four-under.
“I feel like I’m in a good position. I reckon I could have cut a few more shots down, but at the same time I think could have gone higher, so it all balances out,” Ko said. “But being a couple or a few shots behind isn’t a bad position.”
Canadian Brooke Henderson shot a 71 and was at three-under, five strokes behind.
Cheng Ssu-chia carded a 72 and was tied for 30th on one-under, while fellow Taiwanese Hsu Wei-ling (75), Min Lee (78) and amateur Hou Yu-sang (77) missed the cut.
Clyburn, winner of last year’s New South Wales Open, began her round with an eagle and three birdies in her first five holes.
“I was loving it, really,” the English golfer said. “I have been waiting for this round for a long time.”
In October 2014, Clyburn was well-placed in the second stage of LPGA Tour qualifying, but was disqualified when her playing partner failed to sign her scorecard.
“Probably what happened 14, 15 months ago was for the best, I don’t know,” Clyburn said.
Matthew, 46, won the Australian Open 20 years ago at Yarra Yarra in Melbourne.
“I think that’s the beauty of golf, you know you can play, it doesn’t matter what your age is really as long as you can still hit the golf ball and get it in the hole,” Matthew said. “Age isn’t a barrier.”
Additional reporting by staff writer
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