Golf Roundup : Nause Shoots 69 to Lead by 2 in Tucson LPGA Event

First-round leader Martha Nause shot a three-under-par 69 Friday and took a two-stroke lead in the second round of the $300,000 Tucson Open women’s golf tournament.

Nause played the back nine first. She birdied the 15th and 16th holes and added two more birdies to offset a bogey on the front nine for a 36-hole total of 135, nine under par.

Lori Garbacz shot a 68 for a 137 that tied Jan Stephenson, who shot a 68 on the 6,243-yard Randolph North course.

Defending champion Laura Davies, who switched to cross-handed putting after her third hole, stayed in contention despite playing with a painful right ankle. She shot a 71 and was among seven players at 139.

Garbacz, looking for her first victory on the LPGA tour, eagled the par-five 13th. Her shot from just off the green was hit a little too firmly, she said, but it hit the pin, bounced up and plopped into the hole.

Stephenson, with 16 career victories, managed an even-par 35 on the front nine before making a 15-footer for a birdie-3 on the 10th. She also birdied the par-four 14th and chipped in for another birdie on the par-five 18th.

South African Gary Player, Orville Moody and New Zealander Bob Charles shot two-under par 70s Friday and shared the first-round lead in a $250,000 seniors tournament at Johannesburg, South Africa.

The field in the 54-hole tournament is limited to eight.

Lee Elder shot a par 72 for fourth place. Dave Hill and Bobby Nichols had 74s.