Lewis Leads Fog-Delayed Dubai Ladies Masters


Stacy Lewis vaulted to the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. The season-ending event on the Ladies European Tour schedule began Wednesday at Emirates Golf Club.

Lewis, the top-ranked player in the field at the No. 3 in the world, fired a 7-under 65 to reach 9-under 135, a shot ahead of first-round co-leader Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden, who followed up her 67 with a 69.

After a 70, one stroke further back is Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, with Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum (70) at 138.

The start of the second round was delayed by heavy fog, causing darkness to halt play before the completion of the round. Six players will tee off Friday morning before the start of the third round to finish their second 18s.

Lewis, a three-time winner in 2013, said the key to her improved play was better putting.

"Obviously, the putts went in today. I made a little adjustment on the practice green and it seemed to work. I made a couple of long ones that I probably shouldn't have made and it turned out to be a good day.

"On the longer putts the grip handle was stopping instead of keeping going so I changed that. I think I had 10 or 12 fewer putts and that made the difference. I think I had 24 putts today instead of 33.

"It's not done yet. I'm going to have to keep going and take care of business but I prefer being where I am now to where I was last night."

Lindberg is staying cool as she moves deeper into the tournament. "I am trying to just feel the same low expectations, not putting more pressure on myself," she said. "It's something that I've been working on with my mental coach this year to actually be able to step out on the course and handle expectations and pressure."

The other 18-hole co-leader, Spain's Mireta Prat, fell down the leaderboard into a tie for 12th at 1-under 143 following a 76.

For all the scores, visit http://www.letscoring.com/leaderboard/64082.