Hedwall's Ace Gives Her a Boost in ISPS Handa Women's Open


Caroline Hedwall of Sweden carded a 7-under 65 to supplant Norway's Suzann Pettersen halfway through the Women's Australian Open - officially called the ISPS Handa Women's Open - at Victoria Golf Club in Australia.

Hedwall's round was capped off when she aced the par-3 16th hole. That eagle accompanied five birdies, another eagle on the par-5 fifth, and two bogeys. The 24-year-old stands at 11-under 133, a stroke ahead of Pettersen, who followed up her opening 66 with a 68.

Hedwall didn't see her hole-in-one disappear into the cup. The crowd did but stayed politely mute as a nearby player was teeing off. "I couldn't see it and the crowd didn't want to yell because Laura (Davies) was hitting off on No. 17, so we walked up there and they were like, 'it went in,' " Hedwall said.

"Yesterday I hit a full 7-iron over the green (for bogey at 16) and it was basically the same yardage today. So I hit a softer 7-iron. It covered the pin the whole way and I just saw it bounce once and hit the pin but I didn't see it go in."

Australia's Minjee Lee shot a 67 to reach 135, while another stroke back are England's Holly Clyburn of England and world No. 4 Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who each carded a 68, and Swede Anna Nordqvist, who set a new course record for women, an 8-under 64.

Three Americans - Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda and Morgan Pressel - are tied for seventh at 137 with France's Karine Icher and Chinese amateur Jing Yan.

For all the scores, visit http://www.golf.org.au/default.aspx?s=livescoreswao_new&tid=104597.