Italy's Sergas takes over lead in Women's Australian Open

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Italy's Giulia Sergas shot a 4-under 69 to take a three-stroke lead after the second round of the Women's Australian Open.

Sergas, who plays on both the European and LPGA tours, has a two-round total of 7-under 139 at the tricky par-73 Commonwealth Golf Club.

"I try to establish a little relationship with the golf course, try to talk to each other," Sergas said. "If you listen well and you don't get caught up in your emotions, then the golf course really talks to you. And when it's a difficult golf course like this one, you really have to pay attention."

Two South Koreans are tied for second -- Choi He-yong after a 69 Friday and Yang Soo-jin with a 72. Karrie Webb was in a group tied for fourth after a 70, four strokes back.

First-round leader Laura Davies, the defending champion, ended her streak of 13 consecutive rounds under par to shoot 76 and is tied for seventh with Katherine Hull (72) and amateur Alison Whitaker (74).

"I played rubbish, a scrappy round of golf," Davies said. "Today I missed a few fairways, had a couple of flyers, just didn't play particularly well. But I'm only five behind the lead and two rounds to go, so I'm OK."

Webb, who shot a closing 61 to win the Australian Masters last week, was pleased with her round.

"I was scratchy yesterday, but I managed to pull it back today," Webb said. "I was 3-over through eight, and I thought that it was only five days ago that I shot 61. It felt a long way away.

"I was a bit sluggish, just trying to play my best for the next couple of rounds. I feel like I'm in a good position going into the weekend."