(9 February 2012 – Melbourne, Australia)
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Australian Sarah Kemp and American Stacy Lewis share the lead after the opening round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open being played on the composite course at the magnificent Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
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rnKemp fired a flawless round of four-under par 69, while Kraft Nabisco Champion carded six birdies and two bogeys on a sunny day in Melbourne.
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rnThe duo hold a one shot advantage over defending champion and Rolex World No. 1 Yani Tseng, American Brittany Lincicome and Paraguay’s Julieta Granada. While another six players share sixth position at two under par 70. Australians Jessica Speechley and Sarah Oh, Germany’s Sandra Gal, last week’s runner-up South Korean So Yeon Ryu and England’s Melissa Reid.
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rnKemp commented in her press conference “I hit the ball really well. I have been hitting the ball well lately. I did not hole that many putts last week but I hit the ball pretty similar to today. The conditions were really good this morning. I guess I took advantage of it."
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rnWhen asked about her thoughts on the golf course, which she had not played until Tuesday the 26 year old, said, “I love it. It&aposs tops. I can see why it is Australia&aposs best golf course. It is a privilege to have the first women&aposs professional golf tournament here. It is awesome.“
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rnHer experience of being in the Australian Institute of Sport as an amateur and being based in Melbourne for a period of time and regularly playing the sandbelt courses has helped her this week.
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rn“I think it does. Everything around here is pretty similar. I&aposve played a bunch at Victoria and everywhere else I have played a lot. The style is pretty similar, firm greens, running fairways, all of that. “
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rnLewis loves the course as well, saying, “I fell in love with place the first time I played it. You have to be so creative and hit so many different shots. I love that.”
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rn“I started on the back nine and turned a couple under. I made some late birdies coming in. The day was actually pretty easy for me. I did not have to stress over too many putts. I hit a lot of fairways and played consistent. “
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rnAdvice from one of Australia’s greatest golfer’s Greg Norman also played it’s part in Lewis game today, “I play at Greg Norman&aposs course in Florida, the Medallist. You can hit a lot of similar shots in practice there. We hit a lot of bump and runs up to the greens. That was good practice.""
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rn“We got some tips from him. He said to be below the hole and if we were above the hole make sure the next one was below it. And always take the shorter club if you are in between. I used that today. “
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rnThe defending champion was pleased with day one effort, “It was disappointing to finish with a three-putt on the last hole. It is probably the toughest hole on the course. But I am still very happy shooting three under today. That&aposs three under on an amazing golf course. I am really excited and can&apost wait to go out and challenge again."
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rnAustralia’s number one player Karrie Webb and World No. 4 Cristie Kerr posted a two-over par 75 to be tied for 54th position, while 14-year old Lydia Ko shot one better to be tied 32nd.
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