Matthew leads LPGA event by three shots

Matthew leads LPGA event by three shots

Like
Dislike






The Sports Xchange July 12, 2013 10:00 PMThe SportsXchange



Catriona Matthew fired a 7-under-par 64 on Friday to take a three-shot lead after two rounds of the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ontario.

Matthew has a two-day total of 15-under 127. The 43-year-old Matthew rolled in a 25-foot putt for an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole on Friday and added five other birdies in her bogey-free round. She birdied two of the final three holes.

"I played really well again, you know, gave myself a lot of chances," said Matthew. "Good chances at one, three and four that I missed by 10 feet and holed a good eagle putt on five. I mean, it feels really good. I've holed a lot of putts. I've given myself a lot of chances, so I wouldn't say I've really holed many super long ones, but every time I give myself a chance, I'm kind of taking advantage of it."

Matthew missed only one fairway and one green in regulation on Friday.

"I don't know. I mean, I would say first time here, obviously suits my eye a little bit, maybe just got the speed of the greens," said Matthew. "I think that's the important thing. When you're holing putts, it all seems quite easy."

She started the day tied for the lead with Angela Stanford. After an 8-under-par round on Thursday, Stanfordfired a 4-under 67 to fall behind Matthew. Stanford's only bogey of the day came on the par-4 15th holes.

"Ball striking for sure, giving myself some chances," said Stanford. "And actually the putts have finally found the bottom of the hole. But I think just my confidence comes from how I hit the ball, and I've been hitting it really well this week and I know what's going on in my golf swing and swing thoughts are good. So any time I'm feeling this way, I can't wait to try to make the putts."

Stanford still holds sole possession of second place, with five players one stroke back at 11-under

Anna Nordvist, who tied Matthews and four others for the low round of the day with a 64, is among those tied for third.

Ryann O'Toole, Chella Choi, Menna Lee and Belen Mozo are the others tied at 11-under.

Inbee Park, the top-ranked women's player in the world, is one of four players tied at 10-under, five shots off the lead.

Park is bidding to become the first player to win four consecutive LPGA Tour events since Lorena Ochoa did it in 2008. The tour record is five in a row by Nancy Lopez in 1978 and Annika Sorenstam in 2004-05.