Davies' firm grip on lead

Laura Davies birdied all five par-fives yesterday to maintain her lead after two rounds of the Alpine Australian Ladies' Masters Championship at the Gold Coast, adding a 68 to follow her course record of 64 for a 36-hole 14-under par total of 132.

The leading money winner on this year's US LPGA Tour had seven birdies and two bogeys in her round over the Royal Pines resort course.

Jane Crafter had seven birdies in her last 11 holes for a 66 and trails the British golfer by three strokes. Corinne Dibnah and Karrie Webb, two other Australians, and Annika Sorenstam, of Sweden, are two shots further back, with the Scot Kathryn Marshall on 138.

"I've been driving the ball really well,'' Davies said. "That's the key. I've been really straight and if I can keep playing the par fives the same way I'll be in good shape.''