American golfer Olson roaring in the Lion City.
Olson puts ‘backstopping’ controversy behind to take lead
SINGAPORE: American golfer Amy Olson has swiftly put last week’s controversy behind her as she steps up the chase for her first LPGA Tour victory at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore this week.
The 26-year-old carded a three-under 69 for a two-day total of seven-under 137 to open up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage at the Sentosa Golf Club yesterday.
Olson soared high by firing her second eagle of the week at the par-five fifth hole and picked up two birdies at the 13th and 16th. However, she bogeyed the 14th – the only blemish of the day.
Olson was pleased to stay solid as four other overnight joint leaders including Thailand’s world No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and Australia’s Lee Min-jee (world No. 3) struggled with consistency.
“I hit the ball really, really good today and gave myself a ton of birdie opportunities on the front, and honestly, I just couldn’t read the greens out there,” said Olson, whose career-best result was a tied second at the Evian Championship last year.
“I don’t know if the pins were just in tricky spots but I gave up a lot of opportunities on the front nine. A couple of putts kind of fell at the end, but just overall, kind of a steady day.”
Despite being in solid position to taste her first success, Olson refused to get carried away.
“There’s a lot of golf left, so I’m just staying patient,” she added.
Olson landed herself in a controversy during the second round of the LPGA Thailand last week after she and Ariya were accused of colluding in “backstopping” – an illegal practice of refraining from marking the ball on the green to provide a backstop for another player.
Players can be penalised two strokes, but LPGA cleared them of any wrongdoing and no action was taken against them.
Olson had hit back at the accusations of her cheating with a written statement.
“Honestly, there was a lot of support and a lot of positives. I think everyone who was involved, it was really a clear case. We didn’t do anything wrong, so there was really no issue,” said a relieved Olson.
“It was great to come here, Monday, reset, and Tuesday, assess the game and move on to a new week.”
There is a five-way tie for second which includes Ariya and Min-jee, Spaniard Azahara Munoz, England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff and South Korea’s Park In-bee, who is the most successful player in the tournament with two victories.
Ariya and Min-jee could have ended the day just one shot off the pace, but both bogeyed their 18th holes to settle for matching one-under 71s.
In-bee is all pumped up to make it a third win after registering an improved 69.
“I always feel quite comfortable playing in Singapore, and it has been very successful for a few years,” said In-bee.
“I just love the atmosphere and I love the place, love the golf course. It really suits my eye. Hopefully, I keep that going for the next two days.”
The other two first-round leaders Celine Boutier of France and China’s Liu Yu slipped to tied 16th and tied 33rd respectively.