Ace fires Matthew charge

Scot shares halfway lead with Sergas

Last updated: 31st July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ace fires Matthew charge

Matthew: back-to-back eagles

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Scotland's Catriona Matthew recorded back-to-back eagles to claim a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Ricoh Women's British Open.

Matthew followed a three at the par-five 11th with a spectacular hole in one at the 12th during a back-nine charge at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club that saw her finish the day level with Italy's Giulia Sergas on three-under-par.

The 39-year-old Scot, a two-time LPGA winner, also produced birdies at the 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th, with a bogey at the 17th the only blot on a stunning seven-under par inward half.

"I didn't start too well today," stated Matthew who only gave birth to her second daughter, Sophie, in May. "But I was delighted at the way I turned it round.

"I've never had two eagles in a row and seven under for nine holes is one of my best-ever.

"I started practicing about five weeks after Sophie was born and it's been quite easy to come back."

Sergas also took advantage of the easier back nine with five birdies to match Matthew's 67.

Japan's Yuko Mitsuka sits in third on two-under following a second successive 71, while Korean Song-hee Kim (73) is a further stroke back in fourth.

American Michelle Wie ran up a double-bogey six at the 18th for a 76 to end on five-over-par, some eight shots off the lead.

World number one Lorena Ochoa could only muster a 77 and made the cut with just one shot to spare on eight-over.

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