Park in perfect spot to dominate in Open
SEVEN-TIME major winner Inbee Park is perfectly positioned for her first Australian success with a share of the midway lead in the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Adelaide.
Park, a world No. 1 on four occasions and gold medal winner at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, followed an impressive opening round 67 with a controlled four-under par yesterday for a 36-hole score of 10under.
In her first visit to Australian since the 2014 Ladies Masters in Queensland, Park has already surpassed her only previous appearance in a Women’s Australian Open, when she missed the cut at Royal Melbourne in 2012.
Overnight leader, England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff, joined Park at the top with a birdie four on her final hole, the Par 5 ninth, a big comeback after starting with two bogeys in her first three holes.
Park started her second round steadily before four birdies in five holes saw her take control.
“It definitely gives me a lot of excitement being on the top of the leaderboard and being in contention in the weekend,’’ Park said.
“That’s the reason why I’m playing golf.”
Local hope Hannah Green ensured she will give herself the chance to be the first local to claim the Patricia Bridges Bowl since 2014, finishing with a two-under par round yesterday to sit four shots off the lead at six-under.
Green said she was looking forward to chasing a player of the calibre of Inbee Park.
“She’s obviously a great player,” Green said.
“It’s going to be very challenging, considering all she’s achieved in her career.
“It’s not the first time she’s led after two rounds, hopefully I can have some putts drop and be in contention.”
Fellow Australians Robyn Choi (-4), Minjee Lee (-4), Katheine Kirk and Karis Davidson (Even) secured weekend action, while five-time Open winner Karrie Webb missed the cut for just the third time in 23 Australian Open appearances.
Defending champion Nelly Korda faces a big task on the weekend after an even par round had her at four-under par and six shots from the lead.