Matthew swings into contention again with 66 in Taiwan

Published on 27/10/2012 01:11

CATRIONA Matthew fell just shy of capturing her fifth career LPGA victory last week at the LPGA KEBHanaBank Championship, losing to Suzann Pettersen in a three-hole playoff.

After the tournament, Matthew tweeted a congratulatory message to Pettersen while adding at the end of her tweet “…next time!” 
Perhaps, Matthew was right that her next win is right around the corner. The North Berwick woman has carried over her strong play to this week’s event in Taiwan.

The 43-year-old fired a six-under 66 to move into a tie for third at eight-under-par, two behind Pettersen (65) and Inbee Park (69).

Last week marked Matthew’s fourth straight top-10 finish and so far during this Asian swing, she has finished fourth in Malaysia and then runner-up in Korea.

“I think I’ve really played pretty well since was it July or August and the Irish Open, which I won,” she said.

“I’ve been playing not too badly the first half of the season, but just not putting the scores together, and then I think the win in Ireland just gave me that little bit of confidence, and just holing more putts makes all the difference.”

In China, Carly Booth stood seven shots behind the leader, Spaniard Carlota Ciganda, after carding a 72 in the opening round of the Suzhou Taihu Open.