Madelene Sagstrom is itching for back-to-back wins.
The 27-year-old Swede followed an opening-round 65 at the ISPS Handa Vic Open with a 5-under 67 Friday on the Beach Course at 13th Beach Golf Links in Victoria, Australia. Sagstrom finished the second round with seven birdies.
Sagstrom, who won her first LPGA title at the Gainbridge LPGA in Boca Rio, Florida, two weeks ago, holds a one-shot lead at 13 under over Ally McDonald through 36 holes.
When asked what she attributes to her success over the past two weeks, Sagstrom said it all has to do with patience.
“I know there’s good golf in my system right now obviously from having good form but I think just taking one shot at a time, really committing to everything and then, I know I’m striking it well when I kind of get out of that worry zone and just go for it. That’s why I’m playing really well,” Sagstrom said.
After playing both the Beach and Creek Courses, Sagstrom’s next challenge will be the wind forecast over the weekend.
“I’m a pretty good wind player. I’m not sure about how much wind because I think it’s supposed to get pretty windy,” Sagstrom said. “I think the next two days is all about patience and just really trust that you counted it right and just know that if you have a longer club in your hands, you got to be soft with it.”
Robyn Choi, Ayean Cho and Linnea Strom sit three strokes behind Sagstrom at 10 under.
Rookie Haley Moore, who impressed with a 66 on Thursday, shot a 71 to sit T-11 at 8 under. Moore was T-3 after the first round.
Reigning champion Celine Boutier did not make the cut after shooting consecutive rounds of 72 and finishing at 1 under. Other notable players to miss the cut were Cristie Kerr, Na Yeon Choi and Patty Tavatanakit.
In the tournament that also feature male pros playing in alternate groups over two courses, Robin Sciot-Siegrist shot a bogey-free 64 to take a two-shot lead over Travis Smyth.
Sagstrom tees off her third round from the Beach Course’s first tee Saturday at 1:40 p.m. local time, Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET, alongside Cho and Strom.
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