Golfers show bite as they tame Serapong 'beast'
World's elite women golfers tame par-5s as two-day average falls below par
COMMENT
It is certainly not par for the course when 57 per cent of the golfers are on par or better on the second day of the HSBC Women's Champions.
For Sentosa's Serapong course is reputed to be "The Beast" ready to tame golfers and not be cowed by their prowess.
Currently, 34 of the 62 golfers (American Austin Ernst has withdrawn) enjoy red figures while six are on even-par on the par-72 challenging layout.
And yesterday, 25 golfers beat Old Man Par on a windy day - at times damp conditions - the leader Jang Ha Na enjoying a bogey-free round with an eagle and four birdies.
The nine-time LPGA Tour champion said: "First round and second round, two eagles, so I feel very comfortable."
The 23-year-old South Korean added: "I was saying to myself not to do too much thinking and just be patient. A lot of birdies, two more days, keep concentrating, I can do it!"
With such confidence oozing, is Serapong conceding its tough exterior to the innate talents of golfers? Not really.
There are three main reasons for this.
First, the field is a world-class gathering, with all but one of the Rolex Rankings top 10 and a plethora of champions displaying their mettle against a tough Serapong.
Second, all the par-fives are too kind to the players, judging by the 4.8 (hole four), 4.6 (hole seven), 4.5 (hole 12) and 4.5 (hole 18) averages over the two days.
Mind you, the 470-yard hole four is a par-five for the ladies, unlike the men who competed at last month's SMBC Singapore Open for whom it was a par-four.
Two eagles and 55 birdies had been registered on this hole, with just six bogeys and no double-bogeys.
Ditto for the par-five 18th - a great finishing hole - where 66 birdies had been registered, although there are hazards along the way and a massive undulating green that turned many birdie-attempts into pars.
Joint-leader Lee Mi Rim, whose five birdies included three of the four par-fives yesterday, beamed: "The par-fives, hit it on the green in two. Birdied 12 from just in front of the green. Chipped up close.
"Hole 18 came off a great bunker shot, and an easy putt."
Third, the 164-yard par-three 14th is a devilish hole, especially if the pin is placed just behind the left greenside bunker. But yesterday, the hole with water all along its left, was playing only 153 yards and the pin was in a relatively easy position.
It registered a 2.8 average over two days, with 28 birdies and 90 pars, and there were no double-bogeys.
With average scores of below-par 71.8 and 71.5 over the two days, there is a likelihood, that the 15-under total set by Park Inbee last year and Stacy Leiws in 2013 is under threat - thanks to Serapong showing a kind face.
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