Webb 36-Hole Leader in Womens Aussie Open

SYDNEY, Australia -- Karrie Webb shot a 1-under 71 Friday to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Women’s Australian Open.

Webb, who trailed Sarah Kemp by one after the first round at Royal Sydney, moved to 6 under for the tournament to take a one-stroke lead over Taiwan’s Wei Yun-jye, who also finished with a 71 Friday. Australian Nikki Campbell carded a 1-over 73 in the second round and is third, just two behind Webb.

Webb, playing for the first time in two months, had three birdies and two bogeys Friday.

‘My distance control wasn’t great,’ said Webb, who won five tournaments last year. ‘I didn’t hit very well, that’s why I’m pretty happy to get away with 1 under.

‘The good thing about the confidence that I have and the work that I’ve done outside my game is that I’m able to score even when things aren’t quite right.’

Ahn Sun-ju of South Korea and Australian-based Korean Amy Yang are tied for fourth. Ahn had an even-par 72 and Yang a 73.

Kemp is six shots back after shooting a 78. Kemp had a 7-over 43 on the back nine, including a quadruple-bogey on the par-4 16th.

American Natalie Gulbis shot a 75 in the second round and is at 5 over. She made the cut, as did Britain’s Laura Davies after a 77.

Karen-Margrethe Juul of Denmark had the low round Friday, a 67 early in the day before the winds picked up. That was a nine-shot improvement from her opening round.

That left Juul at 1 under and in a five-way tie for sixth that also includes American Brittany Lincicome, who had a 73 Friday.

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