NORTH Berwick’s Catriona Matthew, a professional on the US women’s tour, produced a superb 68 yesterday to move on to the heels of world number one Lorena Ochoa in the Ricoh Women’s British Open at St Andrews.
Matthew, twice a winner on the course in her amateur days, kept a bogey off her card in the windy conditions as she was cheered on by the Scottish fans.
Now on five under following a level par first round of 73, Matthew is only one behind Ochoa, who bogeyed the last to add her own 73 to her opening 67. American Wendy Ward shares second place with Matthew.
Matthew said: “You would not be normal unless you were nervous, but I’m playing well so there’s no reason why I can’t have two more good rounds.
“It was a great feeling having people cheering you on to the greens. In the States you don’t get the home support – and obviously it would be great to win.”
Matthew feared she was going to have to battle with some severe gusts as she set off, but things never got that bad. She was able to pick off birdies at the second, sixth, seventh, 11th and par five 17th.
Michelle Wie returned an 80 that sent her crashing out of the event at halfway on seven over.
HARTLEPOOL’S Simon Robinson birdied both par threes on the front nine in the Russian Open in Moscow yesterday, before torrential rain washed out play for the day. Robinson was two under both for his round and the tournament.
Sweden’s Per-Ulrik Johansson shot a 10-under-par 62 to go 13 under for the tournament.
Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, last year’s US Amateur champion making his professional debut, was level par for his three holes of the second round, keeping him two under.
In the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, Graeme Storm was four over after 15 holes of his second round leaving him nine over for the tournament.
Rory Sabbatini was the clubhouse leader after a second consecutive 67 to lie six under on 134. Lee Westwood was on 139 after a 71 with Paul Casey one shot behind after a 73.
