Melbourne, Australia – Previously No 1-ranked Karrie Webb came again to lead the Women’s Australian Open with a 7-under 66 – by three strokes on Thursday. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Oh Su-hyun turned to be the youngest player in history to join the tournament.
Defending champion, Webb enclosed eight birdies and a bogey for a three-stroke lead against Spain’s Tania Elosegui and Lee Chang-hee of South Korea. While Clare Queen of Scotland, Beatriz Recari of Spain as well as South Korea’s Kim Hye-youn were each four shots off the lick.
The 34-year-old Webb, was content with her concrete launching at the metropolitan golf Club as she trailed for her third successive Women’s Australian Open title – the fifth one since 2000.
“I’m not surprised because I know what I’m capable of but I was really unsure on how the course would play today,” Australia’s most successful female golfer said. “It’s one round of golf but I’m definitely giving myself a few pats on the back because it’s a very good score around here whatever state my game is in.”
However, Webb has not triumphed in a single tournament after beating South Korea’s Shin Ji-yai on the second hole in Melbourne last year. She is eager to break the drought this week.
“It’s a nice little boost to confidence,” Webb said. “Hopefully I can carry it on for the next few days.”
Concurrently, Oh Su-hyun, who had not even touched a golf club before moving from South Korea to Australia in 2004 was back to 13 shots after 6-over 79.
Oh, however, did not give hopes up of making the cut after needing to miss school to qualify for the Open – all regardless of a harsh self-assessment during her opening round.
“I was really nervous when I started and really nervous when I finished,” said Oh, who only turns 13 in May. “I enjoyed it, but I did not play good golf.”