CATRIONA-MATTHEW-
Women's Australian Open LET photo credit

Jack Nicklaus, the most famous golfer, gave Catriona Matthew his full support in her quest for a second Australian Open Women's ISPS Handa title.

Twenty years after, her victory at the Patricia Bridges Bowl in 1996, the Scottish veteran found herself at the head of the leaderboard yesterday with the English Clyburn at La Grange in Adelaide.

Nicklaus, world record holder of major with 18 titles to his credit, celebrating his Masters victory in 1986, he has today offered his support to Matthew by following her on the course."Hang in there and don't give up to finish strong!" "Nicklaus tweeted.

Mathew, who shared the lead this morning at -8 with England's Holly Clyburn, was not intimidated by the young player, 20 years after winning the Patricia Bridges Bowl at Yarra Yarra in 1996.

“I think the beautiful thing about golf is that you can play at all ages, as long as you keep a good length and can still hit the ball and play the hole,” emphasizes Mathew. Age is not a problem. "

The Chinese Xi Yu Lin, the German Caroline Masson, the South Korean Jenny Shin and the Japanese Haru Nomura are tied at - 7 after a day marked by the difficult conditions of the afternoon.

A host of talented players remain in ambush, including the stage player Karrie Webb just two shots from the head and who dreams of winning a 6th title,
already five times victorious at home.

World No. 1 Lydia Ko is four strokes off the lead after a second round of 70, still well placed after what she considered a "difficult day" on the course.

Ko, the reigning champion, said the breeze made it difficult to decide whether to attack or play it safe.

Karine Icher and Marion Ricordeau are the only two French women to cross the cut, aBoth players with a 73 (+1) card this Friday are 39th and 54th respectively in the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open.