HOME RULE AT ROYAL CANBERRA LADIES CLASSIC
FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LADIES PROFESSIONAL GOLF TOUR WEBSITE
An eagle on her final hole, the par 5 18th has seen Aussie amateur Ashley Ona soar into a share of the lead with professional compatriot Frances Bondad after completion of the second round of the ActewAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic in Canberra today.
On another perfect day for scoring, there were a plethora of birdies, eagles and even an albatross by American Tiffany Joh, as players took advantage of the calm conditions to showcase an exceptionally high standard of golf in front of the large crowds.
Bondad and Ona sit at 9-under par and hold a one-shot lead over last week’s Bing Lee/Samsung Women’s NSW Open winner Caroline Hedwall (69), co-leader from the first round Canadian Jessica Shepley and Irish-American Alison Walshe.
Bondad, one of the co-leaders heading into the second round flew home with four consecutive birdies to post a four-under par 69 to go with her first round 68. Staying patient was the key, saying, “I missed a few opportunities on the front nine but knew if I stayed patient I had good chances in the last four holes, which is what I did.”
The 25-year old Sydneysider is seeking her first professional victory after coming close several times last year in Europe, and believes sticking to her routine will be the key. “Sticking to my routine helped me last year when I was playing with the leaders, so I will focus on that tomorrow.”
Ona, who admitted being very nervous coming into the round got off to a tough start. She said, “I was a bit shaky at the start, I was nervous as anything, just swinging it way too fast just trying to make pars was hard enough. I then birdied the ninth and turned one under, which helped.”
When asked if she was excited to be playing in the last group, she said, “If you had told me at the start of the week that I would be in the last group on Sunday I probably would have laughed. But I’m excited, I’ll get heaps of experience tomorrow, I’m just going to learn from it and see how I go.”
One interesting note is both have local members on their bag this week and both are having a great time benefitting from some local knowledge.
Hedwall is looking for back-to-back victories after posting eight birdies and two bogeys in her round of 67. After the round she said, “I’m happy with that. I played really well and I had a lot of good birdie opportunities and managed to hole a few of them." When asked about her chances of going back-to-back, she commented, “Yeah, of course now I have a chance.”
Sharing sixth place and looming ominously are England’s Laura Davies and Australian Vicky Thomas. Davies carded a five-under par 68 and is very happy with her position. “I have nothing to lose so I can be aggressive, which is how I like to play.”
Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera (68) and Australian Katherine Hull (71) share eighth place at 5-under par. Players at four and five under are still in with a chance, as was seen last year when Kristie Smith carded a final round of nine-under par 64 to come from behind and win.
Defending champion Smith is tied for 15th position at 2-under par, while local star Nikki Campbell is a further shot back and tied for 20th.
The highlight of the day came from Tiffany Joh when she recorded an albatross in front of the large gallery on the 18th.
“I didn’t realise it went in. We heard a roar from the crowd but we thought it was from the ninth green and someone must have holed out for eagle. I realised once I walked up to the green, I couldn’t see it on the green and thought Ok I hit it through the green and was about to start walking that way until a volunteer yelled out and said it went in the hole. “
The ironic part was that she hit the shot with a Callaway 3-wood which she borrowed from the Pro-Shop. During the first round, Joh’s own 3-wood snapped mid-swing. Royal Canberra’s General Manager Rick Coate was happy to inform the Californian that she can keep the club after the albatross!
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 146 (2x73)
Players from Australia unless stated
137 Frances Bondad 68 69, Ashley Ona (amateur) 68 69.
138 Alison Walshe (US/Ireland) 71 67, Caroline Hedwall (Sweden) 71 67, Jessica Shipley (Canada) 68 70.
140 Vicky Thomas 69 71, Laura Davies (England) 72 68.
Selected scores
146 Sophie Walker (England) 74 72, Melissa Reid 74 72 (jt 24th).
147 Felicity Johnson (England) 73 74 (jt 30th)).
TO READ ALL THE SECOND-ROUND SCORES AND CHECK
THE SCORECARDS ON THE ALGT WEBSITE
CLICK HERE
An eagle on her final hole, the par 5 18th has seen Aussie amateur Ashley Ona soar into a share of the lead with professional compatriot Frances Bondad after completion of the second round of the ActewAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic in Canberra today.
On another perfect day for scoring, there were a plethora of birdies, eagles and even an albatross by American Tiffany Joh, as players took advantage of the calm conditions to showcase an exceptionally high standard of golf in front of the large crowds.
Bondad and Ona sit at 9-under par and hold a one-shot lead over last week’s Bing Lee/Samsung Women’s NSW Open winner Caroline Hedwall (69), co-leader from the first round Canadian Jessica Shepley and Irish-American Alison Walshe.
Bondad, one of the co-leaders heading into the second round flew home with four consecutive birdies to post a four-under par 69 to go with her first round 68. Staying patient was the key, saying, “I missed a few opportunities on the front nine but knew if I stayed patient I had good chances in the last four holes, which is what I did.”
The 25-year old Sydneysider is seeking her first professional victory after coming close several times last year in Europe, and believes sticking to her routine will be the key. “Sticking to my routine helped me last year when I was playing with the leaders, so I will focus on that tomorrow.”
Ona, who admitted being very nervous coming into the round got off to a tough start. She said, “I was a bit shaky at the start, I was nervous as anything, just swinging it way too fast just trying to make pars was hard enough. I then birdied the ninth and turned one under, which helped.”
When asked if she was excited to be playing in the last group, she said, “If you had told me at the start of the week that I would be in the last group on Sunday I probably would have laughed. But I’m excited, I’ll get heaps of experience tomorrow, I’m just going to learn from it and see how I go.”
One interesting note is both have local members on their bag this week and both are having a great time benefitting from some local knowledge.
Hedwall is looking for back-to-back victories after posting eight birdies and two bogeys in her round of 67. After the round she said, “I’m happy with that. I played really well and I had a lot of good birdie opportunities and managed to hole a few of them." When asked about her chances of going back-to-back, she commented, “Yeah, of course now I have a chance.”
Sharing sixth place and looming ominously are England’s Laura Davies and Australian Vicky Thomas. Davies carded a five-under par 68 and is very happy with her position. “I have nothing to lose so I can be aggressive, which is how I like to play.”
Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera (68) and Australian Katherine Hull (71) share eighth place at 5-under par. Players at four and five under are still in with a chance, as was seen last year when Kristie Smith carded a final round of nine-under par 64 to come from behind and win.
Defending champion Smith is tied for 15th position at 2-under par, while local star Nikki Campbell is a further shot back and tied for 20th.
The highlight of the day came from Tiffany Joh when she recorded an albatross in front of the large gallery on the 18th.
“I didn’t realise it went in. We heard a roar from the crowd but we thought it was from the ninth green and someone must have holed out for eagle. I realised once I walked up to the green, I couldn’t see it on the green and thought Ok I hit it through the green and was about to start walking that way until a volunteer yelled out and said it went in the hole. “
The ironic part was that she hit the shot with a Callaway 3-wood which she borrowed from the Pro-Shop. During the first round, Joh’s own 3-wood snapped mid-swing. Royal Canberra’s General Manager Rick Coate was happy to inform the Californian that she can keep the club after the albatross!
SECOND-ROUND SCOREBOARD
Par 146 (2x73)
Players from Australia unless stated
137 Frances Bondad 68 69, Ashley Ona (amateur) 68 69.
138 Alison Walshe (US/Ireland) 71 67, Caroline Hedwall (Sweden) 71 67, Jessica Shipley (Canada) 68 70.
140 Vicky Thomas 69 71, Laura Davies (England) 72 68.
Selected scores
146 Sophie Walker (England) 74 72, Melissa Reid 74 72 (jt 24th).
147 Felicity Johnson (England) 73 74 (jt 30th)).
TO READ ALL THE SECOND-ROUND SCORES AND CHECK
THE SCORECARDS ON THE ALGT WEBSITE
CLICK HERE
Labels: Pro Ladies
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