Green in contention as Hsu and Sagstrom take Aussie Women's Open lead

Date: 15th February 2019 By: ALPG

Perth, Western Australia professional Hannah Green has leapt into contention on the second day of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, after shooting a second-round three-under-par 69 to sit in a tie for third place at 7 under par, while overnight leader Wei-Ling Hsu and Swede Madelene Sagstrom are tied at the top of the lead at -10. Green, 22, who finished third in this event at Kooyonga Golf Club in 2018 made the best of the  picture-perfect conditions this morning at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, having carded a solid opening 68 in the more difficult afternoon conditions on Thursday. The third-year professional from West Australia bagged five birdies mixed with two bogeys to put  her in great shape heading into the weekend, which was a huge relief after missing the halfway cut  at last week's Vic Open. "I'm very pleased.  Last week I shot a good opening round at the Vic Open, and then on Friday I just had one of those days where nothing really went for me.  So I was a little bit nervous about today's  round.  But I'm very happy with 3 under.  It was nice to see my lead ‑‑ I think for one stage I had a  tie for the lead, so it was really nice to see that.  So, it's just nice to see the hard work pay off." Green has been looking forward to returning to Adelaide for this event for some time, having played well the past two years in the "City of Churches" "I didn't want to expect too much, but I know I have a good past history the last two years of  playing this event, so I definitely have good vibes when I come to Adelaide, which is fortunate.  But after last week, I think I was probably a bit more nervous than I was compared to last year.  So,  I'm just very happy with the last two days' performance." Green also said that her memories of 2018 would stand her in good stead for the weekend, "Last year's position, playing in the final group definitely will help me for this year's competition.  Hopefully on Sunday again I can be in that position.  But it was really ‑‑ I don't know, I guess because I'm playing at home and the crowds are rooting for the Australians, it's nice to have that.  It might make some players more nervous, but it kind of settles me to know that everyone's rooting for me.  So, yeah, no, I'm excited" Green said she was really buoyed on by the partisan crowd following her in this morning's round, " I had mobs screaming 'Greeny,' and that actually really settled my nerves, surprisingly, so hopefully they can come out again. It's nice to see my name on the leaderboard and nice  to see so many people come out, even on a Thursday and Friday, so hopefully it will be big crowds on the weekend" The West Australian said she hoped her consistency over the first two rounds would continue  into the weekend after a 2018 season of many ups and downs Former World  No. 1 Lydia Ko shot 77 in the second round and at 4-over didn't make the weekend but Catriona Matthew, with scores of 73 and 72 for 145, did  survive the cut in a share of 48th place. England's Bronte Law is T7 on 139 after scores of 67 and 72 while compatriot Charlie Hull is T17 on 141 (75-66). TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES CLICK HERE