February 14-17
The Grange Golf Club, Grange, South Australia
$1,300,000
As soon as she walked out of the scoring hut, Madelene Sagstrom had a massive smile on her face. The reason is plainly evident on her scorecard, as the Swede sits tied for first and will play the final round of an LPGA Tour event for the first time in her three-year career.
โI literally have never rolled a putter better, probably,โ said Sagstrom, who dominated the 2016 Symetra Tour to earn her LPGA Tour card. โMy speed was phenomenal. I knew as soon as I was on the green that I had a birdie chance, which is an awesome feeling. I played very free. I was very accepting. I took my medicine when I needed to and I just stayed calm all day. It was just really nice to be out there.โ
That feeling when you are in the last group heading into the weekend ?#FridayFeeling @WomensAusOpen@msagstrom pic.twitter.com/Is3Uvd9q4E
โ LPGA (@LPGA) 15 February 2019
Sagstrom represented Europe at the 2017 Solheim Cup as a captainโs pick. A solid performance this week could boost her Rolex Womenโs World Ranking status and pull her into contention for an automatic selection.
Wei-Ling Hsu enjoyed the best season of her LPGA Tour career in 2018, making 20 of 28 cuts and finishing 31st on the Official Money List. She not only earned her best career finish at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, where she finished second, but she notched best major finishes at the U.S. Womenโs Open (T5) and The Evian Championship (15).
So far at The Grange, the native of Chinese Taipei has put together two consistently solid rounds to head into the weekend with the lead for the second time in her five-year career. She points to the takeaways of her 2018 success as what has driven her this week.
โI think just I learned a lot from that, like how to play under the pressure,โ said Hsu. โThat makes me like a little more stronger this year, more able to focus on my game. That's what I learned from last year.โ
The 2018 ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open marked Hannah Greenโs second LPGA Tour event as a Member, and her week at Adelaideโs Kooyonga Golf Club was certainly one to remember. Playing in the final group, Green eventually finished third and quickly gained the invaluable experience of playing under difficult mental conditions. And the fact that it was in front of Aussie fans? That made the week that much better.
โPlaying in the final group definitely will help me for this year's competition,โ said Green, who finished fifth in the 2018 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year standings. โHopefully on Sunday again I can be in that position. 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 people more nervous, but it kind of settles me to know that everyone's rooting for me.โ
The top five players through 36 holes of the 2019 ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open represent five different countries โ Sweden (Madelene Sagstrom), Chinese Taipei (Wei-Ling Hsu), the United States of America (Nelly Korda), Japan (Haru Nomura) and Australia (Hannah Green).
Four of these countries โ Sweden, the USA, Japan and Australia โ have visited the LPGA Tour winnerโs circle within the last two years. The last player from Chinese Taipei to win was Yani Tseng, whose last victory came in 2012.
The definition of consistency at the @WomensAusOpen, @weilinghsu1994 has been tied at the top of the leaderboard both days of the tournament.
โ LPGA (@LPGA) 15 February 2019
Watch her highlights and see what she had to say about her round here! ? pic.twitter.com/E9f7jS2Nvt
Player notes
Rolex Rankings No. 121 Madelene Sagstrom (67-67, -10)
โข Sagstromโs first- and second-round 67s are tied for the third-lowest rounds of her LPGA Tour career
โข This is the first time in Sagstromโs LPGA Tour career that she has led following any round
โข She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens, with 27 putts
โข Sagstrom is in her third LPGA Tour season; her best career finish is a tie for third at the 2017 Swinging Skirts Taiwan LPGA Championship
โข Sagstrom is competing in her third ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open; she finished T30 in 2018 and missed the cut in 2017
Rolex Rankings No. 69 Wei-Ling Hsu (65-69, -10)
โข Hsuโs 36-hole 134 is tied for the lowest 36-hole score of her LPGA Tour career; she previously shot a 134 at the 2015 Meijer LPGA Classic
โข This is the second time in Hsuโs career that she has led through 36 holes, joining the 2018 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship
โข She hit 11 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens, with 28 putts
โข Hsu is in her fifth LPGA Tour season; her best career finish is second at the 2018 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic
โข Hsu is playing in her fifth ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open; her best finish is T34 at Kooyonga Golf Club in 2018
Rolex Rankings No. 16 Nelly Korda (71-66, -7)
โข Kordaโs 36-hole 137 is tied for the second-lowest 36-hole score of her LPGA Tour career; she shot a 132 at the 2017 Marathon Classic, multiple 136s and one other 137
โข She hit 14 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens, with 27 putts
โข Korda is in her third LPGA Tour season; she won the 2018 Swinging Skirts Taiwan LPGA Championship and has 13 top-10 finishes
โข Korda is playing in her third ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open; she finished T40 in both 2017 and 2018
Rolex Rankings No. 164 Haru Nomura (70-67, -7)
โข Nomuraโs second-round 67 is her second-lowest round of her seven ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Opens; she shot a 65 in the fourth round of her 2016 victory
โข She hit 10 of 14 fairways and 12 of 18 greens, with 26 putts
โข Nomura is in her ninth season on the LPGA Tour; she has wins at the 2016 ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open, 2016 Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic presented by CTBC and 2017 Volunteers of America Texas Shootout presented by JTBC
โข Nomura is playing in her seventh ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open; she won the 2016 tournament at The Grange Golf Club and finished T3 in 2017
Rolex Rankings No. 144 Hannah Green (68-69, -7)
โข Greenโ 36-hole 137 is the second-lowest 36-hole score of her LPGA Tour career; she shot a 136 at the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Championship
โข She hit eight of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens, with 28 putts
โข Green is in her second LPGA Tour season; her best finish is third at the 2018 ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open
โข Green is playing in her fourth ISPS Handa Womenโs Australian Open; she finished T10 in 2016, T7 in 2017 and third in 2018
Of note
Defending champion Jin Young Ko is tied for 10th after an even-par 72 on Friday
Notables to miss the cut include major champions Lydia Ko, Georgia Hall, Mo Martin, Laura Davies, Brittany Lang, Yani Tseng, Pernilla Lindberg and Paula Creamer
Hee Jung Lim withdrew, citing a sprained ankle
Pos. |
Player | To Par |
R1 |
R2 |
Total |
T1 |
Madelene Sagstrom | -10 |
67 |
67 |
134 |
T1 |
Wei-Ling Hsu | -10 |
65 |
69 |
134 |
T3 |
Nelly Korda | -7 |
71 |
66 |
137 |
T3 |
Haru Nomura | -7 |
70 |
67 |
137 |
T3 |
Hannah Green | -7 |
68 |
69 |
137 |
6 |
Jodi Ewart Shadoff | -6 |
65 |
73 |
138 |
T6 |
Kris Tamulis | -5 |
71 |
68 |
139 |
T7 |
Yu Liu | -5 |
69 |
70 |
139 |
T7 |
Bronte Law | -5 |
67 |
72 |
139 |
T10 |
Marina Alex | -4 |
72 |
68 |
140 |
T10 |
Gaby Lopez | -4 |
71 |
69 |
140 |
T10 |
Amy Yang | -4 |
70 |
70 |
140 |
T10 |
Alena Sharp | -4 |
69 |
71 |
140 |
T10 |
Carlota Ciganda | -4 |
68 |
72 |
140 |
T10 |
Moriya Jutanugarn | -4 |
68 |
72 |
140 |
T10 |
Jin Young Ko | -4 |
68 |
72 |
140 |
T17 |
Charley Hull | -3 |
75 |
66 |
141 |
T17 |
Jeongeun Lee6 | -3 |
72 |
69 |
141 |
T17 |
Angel Yin | -3 |
72 |
69 |
141 |
T17 |
Celine Boutier | -3 |
71 |
70 |
141 |
T17 |
Minjee Lee | -3 |
71 |
70 |
141 |
T17 |
Karis Davidson | -3 |
71 |
70 |
141 |
T17 |
Marissa Steen | -3 |
70 |
71 |
141 |
T17 |
Dana Finkelstein | -3 |
70 |
71 |
141 |
T17 |
Karrie Webb | -3 |
67 |
74 |
141 |
T26 |
Ashleigh Buhai | -2 |
72 |
70 |
142 |
T28 |
Meghan MacLaren | -2 |
73 |
69 |
142 |
T28 |
Mirim Lee | -2 |
73 |
69 |
142 |
T26 |
Mi Hyang Lee | -2 |
71 |
71 |
142 |
T26 |
Jane Park | -2 |
69 |
73 |
142 |
T26 |
Kristen Gillman | -2 |
68 |
74 |
142 |
T32 |
Xiyu Lin | -1 |
74 |
69 |
143 |
T32 |
Azahara Munoz | -1 |
72 |
71 |
143 |
T32 |
Jaclyn Lee | -1 |
72 |
71 |
143 |
T32 |
Lindsey Weaver | -1 |
72 |
71 |
143 |
T32 |
Sarah Kemp | -1 |
72 |
71 |
143 |
T32 |
Celine Herbin | -1 |
71 |
72 |
143 |
T32 |
Maria Torres | -1 |
71 |
72 |
143 |
T32 |
Felicity Johnson | -1 |
71 |
72 |
143 |
T32 |
Lauren Stephenson | -1 |
70 |
73 |
143 |
T40 |
Teresa Lu | E |
77 |
67 |
144 |
T32 |
Jackie Stoelting | -1 |
68 |
75 |
143 |
T42 |
Charlotte Thomas | E |
74 |
70 |
144 |
T42 |
Mina Harigae | E |
72 |
72 |
144 |
T42 |
Lindy Duncan | E |
71 |
73 |
144 |
T42 |
Sarah Schmelzel | E |
70 |
74 |
144 |
T42 |
Brittany Altomare | E |
69 |
75 |
144 |
T47 |
Thidapa Suwannapura | 1 |
74 |
71 |
145 |
T48 |
Ariya Jutanugarn | 1 |
76 |
69 |
145 |
T47 |
Lee-Anne Pace | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T47 |
Jaye Marie Green | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T48 |
Catriona Matthew | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T47 |
Nicole Broch Larsen | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T47 |
Tonje Daffinrud | 1 |
72 |
73 |
145 |
T48 |
Elizabeth Szokol | 1 |
71 |
74 |
145 |
T48 |
Katherine Kirk | 1 |
71 |
74 |
145 |
T48 |
Caroline Masson | 1 |
71 |
74 |
145 |
T48 |
Pornanong Phatlum | 1 |
71 |
74 |
145 |
T48 |
Isi Gabsa | 1 |
71 |
74 |
145 |
T60 |
Sakura Yokomine | 2 |
76 |
70 |
146 |
T60 |
Morgan Pressel | 2 |
74 |
72 |
146 |
T60 |
Nanna Koerstz Madsen | 2 |
74 |
72 |
146 |
T60 |
Stephanie Meadow | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T60 |
Ayako Uehara | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T60 |
Luna Sobron | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T60 |
Munchin Keh | 2 |
72 |
74 |
146 |
T60 |
Kim Kaufman | 2 |
72 |
74 |
146 |
T60 |
Lizette Salas | 2 |
71 |
75 |
146 |
T60 |
Amy Olson | 2 |
70 |
76 |
146 |
T60 |
Annie Park | 2 |
70 |
76 |
146 |
T71 |
Yuri Yoshida (a) | 3 |
76 |
71 |
147 |
T71 |
Peiyun Chien | 3 |
76 |
71 |
147 |
T71 |
Alison Lee | 3 |
75 |
72 |
147 |
T71 |
Rebecca Artis | 3 |
74 |
73 |
147 |
T71 |
Jacqui Concolino | 3 |
74 |
73 |
147 |
T71 |
Sarah Jane Smith | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T71 |
Amy Walsh | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T71 |
Anne-Catherine Tanguay | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T71 |
Daniela Darquea | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T71 |
Pavarisa Yoktuan | 3 |
71 |
76 |
147 |
T71 |
Mel Reid | 3 |
70 |
77 |
147 |
T82 |
Wichanee Meechai | 4 |
77 |
71 |
148 |
T82 |
Aditi Ashok | 4 |
75 |
73 |
148 |
T82 |
Marianne Skarpnord | 4 |
75 |
73 |
148 |
T82 |
Chella Choi | 4 |
74 |
74 |
148 |
T82 |
Muni He | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T82 |
Benyapa Niphatsophon | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T82 |
Christina Kim | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T82 |
Stephanie Na | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T82 |
Beatriz Recari | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T82 |
Pei-Ying Tsai | 4 |
71 |
77 |
148 |
T82 |
Lydia Ko | 4 |
71 |
77 |
148 |
T82 |
Haeji Kang | 4 |
70 |
78 |
148 |
T82 |
Georgia Hall | 4 |
69 |
79 |
148 |
T94 |
Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (a) | 5 |
79 |
70 |
149 |
T94 |
Cheyenne Woods | 5 |
78 |
71 |
149 |
T94 |
Mo Martin | 5 |
76 |
73 |
149 |
T94 |
Mayu Wakui (a) | 5 |
75 |
74 |
149 |
T96 |
Emma Talley | 5 |
76 |
73 |
149 |
T96 |
Ally McDonald | 5 |
75 |
74 |
149 |
T94 |
Laura Davies | 5 |
74 |
75 |
149 |
T96 |
Mariah Stackhouse | 5 |
75 |
74 |
149 |
T94 |
Brittany Marchand | 5 |
73 |
76 |
149 |
T94 |
Hina Arakaki | 5 |
73 |
76 |
149 |
T94 |
Brittany Lang | 5 |
72 |
77 |
149 |
T95 |
Erika Hara | 5 |
70 |
79 |
149 |
T107 |
Dani Holmqvist | 6 |
79 |
71 |
150 |
T107 |
Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T107 |
Hanee Song | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T107 |
Klara Spilkova | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T107 |
Brianna Do | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T107 |
Kendall Dye | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T107 |
Megan Khang | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T114 |
Linnea Strom | 7 |
78 |
73 |
151 |
T107 |
Cathryn Bristow | 6 |
74 |
76 |
150 |
T114 |
Michele Thomson | 7 |
76 |
75 |
151 |
T114 |
Kylie Henry | 7 |
76 |
75 |
151 |
T114 |
Ryann O'Toole | 7 |
76 |
75 |
151 |
T115 |
Yae Eun Hong (a) | 7 |
75 |
76 |
151 |
T115 |
Jenny Haglund | 7 |
75 |
76 |
151 |
T115 |
Laura Gonzalez Escallon | 7 |
74 |
77 |
151 |
T121 |
Yani Tseng | 8 |
78 |
74 |
152 |
T121 |
Prima Thammaraks | 8 |
77 |
75 |
152 |
T121 |
Mariajo Uribe | 8 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
T121 |
Miki Sakai | 8 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
T121 |
Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong | 8 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
T122 |
Suzuka Yamaguchi | 8 |
75 |
77 |
152 |
T122 |
Joanna Klatten | 8 |
74 |
78 |
152 |
T129 |
Whitney Hillier | 9 |
77 |
76 |
153 |
T129 |
Becca Huffer | 9 |
75 |
78 |
153 |
T129 |
Amy Boulden | 9 |
75 |
78 |
153 |
T132 |
Dottie Ardina | 10 |
84 |
70 |
154 |
T129 |
Doey Choi (a) | 9 |
73 |
80 |
153 |
T133 |
Olivia Cowan | 10 |
80 |
74 |
154 |
T133 |
Pernilla Lindberg | 10 |
78 |
76 |
154 |
T133 |
Holly Clyburn | 10 |
77 |
77 |
154 |
T133 |
Hira Naveed (a) | 10 |
75 |
79 |
154 |
T133 |
Paula Creamer | 10 |
73 |
81 |
154 |
T139 |
Candie Kung | 11 |
84 |
71 |
155 |
T139 |
Beth Allen | 11 |
79 |
76 |
155 |
T139 |
Ruixin Liu | 11 |
75 |
80 |
155 |
T139 |
Christine Wolf | 11 |
73 |
82 |
155 |
143 |
Su Oh | 14 |
77 |
81 |
158 |
WD |
Hee Jung Lim | 77 |