Simpson shows strength

England&aposs Georgina Simpson credits a new strength and conditioning program for an &aposextra 20 yards&apos off the tee which helped her to the round of-the-day – a 68 – at Metropolitan on Friday. At five under overall following her opening round even-par 73, Simpson eased herself into third place on the Australian Open leader board midway through Friday&aposs proceedings behind Karrie Webb and South Korea&aposs Lee Chang-Hee. The 33-year-old admits to being slow to take up the challenge to build her fitness, but said her commitment to the gym is starting to pay dividends. “Women, we&aposre not built for core strength, we&aposre not really built to be powerful and I think if you want to take your game to another level definitely you&aposve got to look at every option,” she said. Interestingly, Simpson, who missed the cut at last year&aposs Australian Open at Kingston Heath by one shot, said brains contributed as much as brawn to Friday&aposs good score around one of the most testing layouts on Melbourne&aposs famed sandbelt. “It&aposs more about thinking your way around, knowing the dangers and knowing where not to go, really, and then praying that you get the nice bounces” she said. “I got an odd bounce on the 17th for the second day running today which annoyed me a little bit.” “I managed to get up and down out of the bunker but it&aposs that sort of course, it&aposs like a links course.” “You don&apost always get the bounce you think you&aposre going to get and you&aposve got to take that on the chin and take your medicine sometimes and know when to attack at others.” Simpson said she was &aposgutted&apos to miss the cut at last week&aposs Australian Ladies Masters at Royal Pines in Queensland by one shot after being penalised two strokes for an error by her caddie. The eager caddie, a teenage family friend who plays off four, raked the footmarks of one of Simpson&aposs playing partners before Simpson had a chance to play her own bunker shot. “To come in and not just make the cut, but to go that extra bit is very pleasing and it&aposs a bit of satisfaction for last week,” she said.