(Scarperia, Thursday May 15 2003) Karen Lunn from Australia and Lynnette Brooky from New Zealand credited a cool bottle of Pinot Grigio on Wednesday evening to helping them into a share of the first round lead with Italy’s own Federica Dassu at Poggio dei Medici GC in the La Perla Italian Open.

Taylor – Battling 70

Dassu, the oldest player on Tour at 44-years-old, is undecided whether she should continue teaching at nearby Centanni Golf range or continue playing on Tour.

After a vintage first round with five birdies and a solitary bogey, Dassu was none the wiser on her future.

“I spoke with Alison Nicholas recently and she said that she plans to stay out her until she wins again, but for me, that might be too long,” laughed Dassu, who coaches for the Italian Golf Federation.

“I haven’t really played too much over the last few months; I’ve practiced once a week and played four rounds in the last month. I’m not sure if I’ll stay in the lead for long, I haven’t played two rounds in a row for a long time!”

Perhaps Brooky and Lunn might donate a bottle of wine to the oldest swinger in town.