Date: August 17, 2012
Author: Omnisport

Keating in touch at British Masters

Golf Australia Rookie Squad member Stacey Keating is just one shot off the pace after the first round of the Ladies British Masters, which was dominated by locals on Thursday. Keating carded a five-under-par 65 to sit in a share of second alongside South African Stacy Lee Bregman at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club. English duo Laura Davies and Henrietta Zuel are in a three-way share of the lead at six under at the Ladies European Tour tournament, alongside Welshwoman Lydia Hall. Four-time major winner Davies, walking the course with an injured Achilles tendon, produced seven birdies while dropping just one shot. “It&aposs a lovely golf course. I knew I liked it. Seven birdies, one bogey – a very satisfactory day,” Davies said. Zuel is in the hunt for her maiden Ladies European Tour title after also shooting seven birdies and a bogey. Hall credited new caddie Lee Griffiths for her strong round, which has given her a share of the lead on a crowded leaderboard. At four under are Swede Carin Koch, South African Lee-Anne Pace, American Beth Allen and Frenchwoman Joanna Klatten ahead of Friday&aposs second and penultimate round. Australians well off the pace include Rebecca Artis (one under), Rachel Bailey and Frances Bondad (both at even par). Further back are Alison Whitaker, Bree Arthur and Karen Lunn, who are all at one over the card. Stephanie Na (two over) and Nikki Garrett (four over) are in danger of missing the cut.