Australians well placed at AIG Women’s Open Championship
Hannah Green – file photo LPGA Getty
Australians find themselves well placed at the AIG Women’s Open Championship at Muirfield, three of them inside the top ten as the event heads into the weekend at the famed Scottish layout.
West Australian, Hannah Green, leads the way amongst them, having put together a second round 0f 66 which included a late rush of four birdies in her last five holes to finish the 36 holes at 5 under in a share of 5th place and three shots behind the leader, In Gee Chun.
Sydney’s Stephanie Kyriacou and Perth’s Minjee Lee are another shot back in a share of 7th place at 4 under.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Perth’s Whitney Hillier are at 1 under and tied for 26th, Hillier making her the cut for the first occasion in now six attempts in the event.
Describing just how she is coping with Muirfield Green responded; “It’s been tough. Definitely glad I played last week at Dundonald, at least get used to some links golf. I’ve heard a lot of wind is going to come this weekend. I feel like it’s been pretty tame so far so we’ll see what happens.
“I enjoy this style of golf environment – it’s so different to what we get everywhere else in the world, so to spice it up and do something different, I really like it.”
When asked how she feels about being in contention for a second major as she heads into day three Green would say; “Yeah, I feel like I’ve been playing a lot more consistent this year. It’s about trying to contend as much as possible in majors and hopefully get my name on the trophy again.
“It’s nice to see the progress that I’ve made in the preseason reflecting on the golf course. It was nice to actually go home before Evian as well and get a little bit of a break mentally. So I’m really excited for the back end of this year.”
Green already has a major title to her name having won the 2019 KPMG Championship so she is no stranger to what she will likely face over the weekend.
Lee struggled to build momentum throughout her round but the issue was really on the greens rather then getting to them.
“I gave myself quite a few birdie opportunities when I hit some good shots in, and then had plenty of putts, like 25 feet for birdie as well. I played really smart out there,” said the current US Women’s Open Champion. “I couldn’t quite capitalise on my birdie opportunities, so hopefully they will all drop tomorrow.”
Minjee Lee – in action today – photo R&A Getty Images
Kyriacou is in her first LPGA Tour season and although still finding her feet at this level, is considered to be a star of the future having won twice on the Ladies European Tour before her move to the US this year. A 10th place at the recent KPMG PGA Championship highlights her ability.
The leader, In Gee Chun is chasing a 4th major championship following her victories at the 2015 US Women’s Open, the 2016 Evian Championship and this year’s KPMG PGA Championship.
As was the case at the KPMG Championship, Australian Dean Herden is caddying for her and it has been a game the pair played that has assisted her in keeping focused on the job this week.
“So before I start tournament, my caddie, Dean, and I talk about the course. And after that, we had a little bit of betting, our game. If I make the bogey-free round, he said he’s going to buy dinner and pay me like $100 for each day if I can make it.
“So before I start round, I always like setting another goal to make bogey-free round. I think that mindset was help a lot on the course. But I hit two bogeys last day, last two days. But I want to keep trying to make bogey-free round next two days.”
Chun played with Jessica Korda over the opening two rounds and was buoyed by comments on her game and swing made by the American.
“During the round, Jessica said she love to hear my sound from my swing, is what she said. And I said sometimes I watch your swing on your Instagram, because when I heard about that mentioned from other players, it make us so happy. It’s always good to play with her. So I had a great time with her.”
In Gee Chun – photo R&A via Getty
