Golfer Kaufman in lead at Vic Open

Kim Kaufman of the US sinks a bunker shot during the third round of the joint EPGA and LPGA Vic Open golf tournament at the 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads near Melbourne on February 9, 2019. PHOTO | AFP

Geelong. Veteran Wade Ormsby took a two-shot lead at the Vic Open on Saturday as he searches for a second European Tour win, while American Kim Kaufman leads the women in a concurrent LPGA Tour event.

The pioneering tournament, south of Melbourne, is the only one in the world with male and female fields, playing in alternate groups on the same course and for equal prize money.

It has been co-sanctioned this year by the European Tour and US LPGA Tour for the first time.

After some low scoring during the first two days, the players were met with brutal winds and a fierce band of early rain Saturday, making life difficult around the 13th Beach Links course.

England’s Callum Shinkwin and South Africa’s Justin Harding were undeterred, shooting impressive 66s, but the round of the day went to Australia’s Matt Stieger who overcame the elements with a 65.

It left him tied for second with Shinkwin -- two behind Australia’s 38-year-old Ormsby, who carded a 70 as he aims to add to his first European Tour success at last season’s Hong Kong Open, which he achieved at 264th attempt. (AFP)

“We got hammered with the rain for about three or four holes there, so it was really good to get through that stretch,” said Asian Tour regular Stieger after sinking seven birdies to stay in the hunt. (AFP)