Giulia Sergas leads at the New Zealand Women's Open
US based Italian Golfer Giulia Sergas leads the New Zealand Women’s Open with three strokes after carding a blazing eight under par 64. It was her career best performance in the first round of the 200,000 Euro Ladies European Tour event held at Pegasus,
New Zealand.
Sergas was able to play her career best round despite being sick for the past nine days. She had never been to the course before because her illness had prevented her from taking part in the practice round. “I am taking antibiotics, which are helping, but
I had no energy and still don't feel a 100 per cent – even though I played so good," she said.
Sergas is hoping to carry on her excellent form to the next three days to help her in winning the first event of her career. The 31-year-old Italian has never won an event after turning professional in 1999. Her career best performance is tying for the sixth
spot in the 2008 US Women’s Championship. "I was just on a roll. I was hitting the ball perfect and putting great. Sooner or later they were going in, I wasn't forcing it," she said, "I have never had a chance to win but, you know, there has to be a first
time."
After teeing off a little after nine in the morning, Sergas scored an eagle and seven birdies. Talking about the remarkable eagle at the sixth hole, she said, “I hit a good drive and had 56 yards to the pin, I hit a wedge 52 yards and watched it roll and
when it disappeared, it was just great." The only bogey in the round was at the par-four 17th hole diminished her from equaling the course-record of nine under 63 set by Pernila Lindberg of Sweden in the final round last year.
Twenty two players were playing well, with their scores under par in the morning but winds picked up later on and reached 40 kmh in the afternoon with gusts of up to 54 kmh. It devastated the game of most golfers. Only four players could maintain their scores
under par in the afternoon including Christel Boeljon of Netherlands with three under par 69, Lydia ko of New Zealand with two under par 70 and Kristie Smith of Australia with one under par 71.Sergas was lucky to have gone through the first nine holes before
the wind picked up.
Bo-Bea Kim of Korea stood second at the leader board with five under par 67. She scored bogeys at the fifth and 15th hole. The third spot is shared by four players including Amelia Lewis, Cassandra Kirkland, Anja Monke and Christel Boeljon with
three under par 69. Caroline Bon and thirteen year old Lydia Ko of New Zealand, American Diana D'Alessio and England's Elizabeth Bennett share the seventh place with two under par 70.
The defending champion Laura Davies finished on par 72 with four bogeys and four birdies. She is tied at the 15th place with 16 players. Play continues today, with Sergas hoping to come away with a win.
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