England’s Georgia Hall will take a one shot lead over Danish star Nanna Madsen into the weekend at the 2016 Oates Victorian Open at 13th Beach Resort, after shooting a 3 under par round of 70 on the Creek course this afternoon.

Hall, who started the day three shots clear of the field at 4 under par started off where she had left off yesterday with birdies at her 1st and 5th holes to extend her lead. As the wind started to pick up on the more exposed Creek Course Hall made four straight pars before back to back birdies on her 10th and 11th holes, followed up by another on her 13th  hole saw her open up a commanding six shot lead at 9 under par. However a bogey at the short par 3 6th hole, her 15th of the day and another at the 9th hole would see her signing for a 3 under par round of 70 and the clubhouse lead at 7 under par.

“I felt that it was tougher out there today” said the 19 year old Englishwoman. “ I know I was playing a different golf course but the holes were harder as well. The pin positions were so tough, if you hit it on the wrong side of the pin you really have no chance to make par. There were some really long holes, like driver, three wood into the fifth hole, and the wind just kept picking up all afternoon. I dropped a couple at the end, but you know, it’s so tough out there you just have to be patient. I am really happy to be in this position and am really looking forward to the weekend.”

Talented Norwegian youngster Nanna Madsen opened up with a solid one under par round of 72 on the Beach Course yesterday and continued her steady play making pars on each of the first 6 holes, before three straight birdies from the 16th to the 18th holes saw her turn at 4 under for the tournament and just 5 shots behind leader Hall.

The impressive young Dane got to within three shots of the lead with an eagle 3 at the par 5 second hole, before a double bogey at the tough par 4 5th hole saw her slide back to 4 under par. Madsen is known for her fighting qualities and she showed those today bouncing straight back with birdies at 7 and 8 before a solid par at the last saw her in the clubhouse at 6 under par and just a shot off the lead.
Madsen, whose impressive rookie year on the Ladies European Tour included 6 top 10 finishes, is no stranger to the big stage having finished 21st in her first major championship at the 2015 Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Pre-tournament favourite Karrie Webb kept tournament organisers on edge all day after her opening round of 4 over par 77 left her in danger of not making it to the weekend, but her class shone through and a birdie at the last hole ensured she will be around for tomorrow’s third round at least. The 36 hole cut fell at 6 over par, and following the third round there will be a further cut which will see the top 35 players advance to Sunday’s final round.

Defending champion Marianne Skarpnord will start the weekend at 3 under par just 4 shots off the lead, while former world number one Dame Laura Davies made the cut on the number but will need to work hard tommorrow to ensure that she is playing the final round on Sunday.

For completed round 2 scores go to http://alpg.com.au/tournament.php?id=4250&pid=1150&sec=lb

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Tomorrow’s second round will commence at 7:20am on the Beach Course.