(Sydney, Australia March 5 2004) England’s Laura Davies is on course to continue her run of a victory in every year of her career as she takes a four shot lead after 36 holes of the $550,000 AAMI Women’s Australian Open at Concord GC in Sydney.
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| Sophie Sandolo in floral costume! |
Even with a dropped shot at the long par three 13th, Davies rallied and birdied the 14th and 17th to extend her lead. But even she knows that leads, no matter how big, are fickle.
“I won’t be changing the game plan over the weekend,” said Davies, who led a huge gallery around the course.
“I’m going to try and make as many birdies as I can. No lead is safe enough and I know that leads can disintegrate quickly. Ernie Els proved that at the Heineken and he’s the second best player in the world.
“Four shots with 36 holes to play is nothing. You can lose that in a hole around here.”
Sandolo, who best career finish is second in last years Spanish Open, began her day at the tenth and made a good chip and putt for her first birdie, another followed at the 14th where she played a masterstroke to a couple of inches, despite being under a bush with a restricted swing.
Turning in two under 35, the 27-year-old from Monte Carlo pushed her drive at the second to give a shot back, but closing birdies at the fifth from 15 feet and the ninth from six feet saw her snatch the lunchtime lead.
“I’ve been playing well and hitting it straight for two days,” said Sandolo, known for her stylish dress on the course and who looked resplendent in her blue and white floral ensemble in the 30 degree heat.
“I’ve got a good pace on the greens and that’s important as they are very fast and I’m limiting my three putts. Most of the time, I’m just trying to two-putt the greens.”
