Kemp and Lewis share the lead at Royal Melbourne

Updated February 10, 2012 06:12:53

Golf at the highest level suddenly became a lot easier for American Stacy Lewis last year.

And even the famous Royal Melbourne layout held no fears as she skipped to a share of the lead after the first round of the Women's Australian Open.

Lewis shot a four-under-par 69 at Royal Melbourne to share the lead with Sydney's Sarah Kemp on day one of the Australian Open.

The pair are one shot ahead of a group of players on three-under that includes defending champion Yani Tseng.

Since last year's breakthrough LPGA win at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Lewis has grown comfortable at the top.

Playing for the first time at the composite layout, she fired six birdies - and two bogeys for her 69.

Lewis said she "fell in love with the course" the first time she saw it, awed by its demand for creative golf.

But she is far from over-awed, either by the course or the company.

Following her win in March, Lewis collected 10 top-10 finishes, including runner-up at the Evian Masters.

"I'm much more confident, just with the year I've had," Lewis said.

"I had such a consistent year. I was in contention quite a bit and you just get comfortable there.
"You don't worry when you're a couple under and you see your name on the leaderboard and it's not that big of a deal."

She pinpointed one particular hole which she said would give her a boost as she attempts to retain the lead on Friday.

"I made a bad swing on eight," she said.

"I hit my drive way down there on the par five and only had about 165 metres to the front of the green.

"I hit it into the bunker then made about a 30 footer for birdie, so I think that really gives me some momentum, going into tomorrow.

"I hit a bad iron shot and a bad bunker shot and still made birdie," Lewis said.

Meanwhile four-time winner Karrie Webb has had a forgettable day, finishing two-over.

AAP

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Broadcast times

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Tags: golf, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 09, 2012 11:44:48

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Smiling Ryu still on top at Royal Pines

Updated February 04, 2012 19:21:01

The birdies dried up for So-Yeon Ryu on Saturday, but the South Korean still holds a three-shot lead heading into the final round at the Australian Ladies Masters after shooting a 3-under 69.

Ryu (66-61-69) will take plenty of confidence going into Sunday at 20-under knowing she has plenty of experience of dominating the big days - just as she did last year in winning the US Open.

The 21-year-old, who posted a scorching 11-under 61 on Friday, admitted fatigue played a part as she was unable to replicate her magical round.

"My shot was not great today," Ryu said.

"My body was tired, (shooting 61 on Friday) took a lot of energy."

Gritty Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon (66-65-68) matched Ryu's last hole birdie to finish on 17-under, losing no admirers as she chipped away at Ryu's lead all day to finish three shots back.

Ryu looked to have the Masters at her mercy on Friday after posting a career low 11-under 61 to jump four shots clear of her rivals.

Her 12-birdie round was hailed one of the best seen at Royal Pines, putting her in a perfect position to attack seven-time winner Karrie Webb's 2010 tournament record total of 262.

Webb's 26-under record is still possible if Ryu goes low on Sunday and wins.

Saturday was moving day and while Ryu did not stall, several players made good ground on her.

What was significant, however, was the way Ryu finished - birdie, birdie - a reminder to those chasing her she is not going to give the tournament up.

The landscape however has certainly changed heading into the final round.

On Saturday she started 17-under and four clear of Boeljon with a gap of seven shots to Australia's Nikki Campbell and Korean Bo-Me Lee in third place.

Sunday she sets out three ahead of Boeljon with Korean Ha-Heul Kim, who eagled her final hole in her 8-under 64, and dangerous Italian Diana Luna (71-64-66) only four back.

Luna stormed home through her back nine with five birdies and an eagle.

Australia's best hope, Frances Bondad (68-72-63), also sounded a warning sizzling home with five straight birdies in a career-low 63.

"That was my best score to date, I'm very happy," said Bondad, who was ready to take a long break from professional golf last year when he finances and confidence were at an all-time low.

"I sort of lost track of how low I was shooting midway through the back nine. It was a pretty good round and it sets me up well for Sunday."

England's Laura Davies shot 70, leaving her 17 shots adrift of Ryu.

AAP

Tags: golf, sport, benowa-4217, qld, australia

First posted February 04, 2012 19:21:01

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