Pirate Galaxy » ebut against the Warriors in Auckland l

WATERLOO, Ont. -- With the greens soft and weather conditions ideal, Catriona Matthew was aggressive from the start of her round Friday at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. She nearly holed her approach shot on the opening hole before settling for par. The eagle she barely missed out on would come four holes later. Five birdies followed in her bogey-free round, vaulting Matthew into top spot at 15-under-par 127 at the tournaments midway point. "It feels really good, Ive holed a lot of putts but Ive given myself a lot of chances," Matthew said. "I wouldnt really say Ive holed many super-long ones but just every time Ive given myself a chance Im kind of taking advantage of them." The 127 total blew away her previous career-best 36-hole mark on tour by five strokes. Matthew was three shots ahead of American Angela Stanford (67). Anna Nordqvist of Sweden shot a 64 and was tied at 11 under with American Ryann OToole (65), Spains Belen Mozo (66) and South Koreas Chella Choi (65) and Meena Lee (66). Matthew, who hit a 25-foot-putt for eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, birdied two of the next three holes for a 32 on the front nine. She was at a loss to explain her comfort level on the southwestern Ontario course. "I would say first time here, obviously suits my eye a little bit, maybe just got the speed of the greens," Matthew said. "I think thats the important thing. When youre holing putts, it all seems quite easy." Matthew missed only one fairway on the day and hit all but one green in regulation. It was warm and sunny Friday but the greens were still moist from rain earlier in the week. Stanford played this event in its inaugural season last year and said the course is playing much different this time around. "I think the firmness of the greens last year made it a little bit tougher," she said. "You had to kind of pay attention to where you were landing it. "This week theyre so soft you can kind of go pin hunting." The wide fairways and open layout of the 6,330-yard, par-71 course rewarded consistency off the tee. The ball often sat tight near the pin after quality approach shots instead of rolling through, resulting in many birdie and eagle opportunities. Eleven players cracked the double-digit mark after only 36 holes. It could mean a score of -20 -- or better -- will be needed to win the US$1.3-million tournament. Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea, who is looking to win her fourth straight LPGA Tour event, had a 67 and was tied with three other players at 10 under. Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., shot a 66 and was the top Canadian at 6 under. The weather forecast is calling for the same comfortable conditions over the last two rounds. "Course conditions determine a lot. This setup, like last year, was not easy," Stanford said. "Anywhere in the world if greens get soft, it makes it a lot more accessible. So I dont think the layout is what makes it easy. I think just the fact that theyve had so much rain here and its softer. "But if its firm and fast, then youve got to pay attention to where you land your ball and running through fairways. So I think its just the greens being soft has been our gift this week." Park is trying to become the first golfer to win four straight LPGA tournaments since Lorena Ochoa in 2008. "I mean this golf course is very scorable, and a lot of people are going on birdie streaks," Park said. "Its tough to follow that many birdies all four days. Im trying my best to get it out there." Nancy Lopez holds the tour record with five consecutive victories in 1978, a mark equalled by Annika Sorenstam over the 2004-05 seasons. Park recently won the U.S. Womens Open to become the first player to win the years first three majors since Babe Zaharias swept the three majors played in the LPGAs inaugural season in 1950. Park will go for her fourth major in a row at the Womens British Open next month. Notes: Matthew has recorded 36-hole totals of 132 on two occasions, the most recent in 2005. ... Park turned 25 on Friday. Fans in the grandstand at the 18th hole sang "Happy Birthday" to her as she walked off the green after sinking a short birdie putt. Park, who started her round on the 11th hole, smiled and waved to the crowd. ... Henderson and Jennifer Kirby of Paris, Ont., were added to the 144-player field as sponsor exemptions. Kirby and Charlottetowns Lorie Kane were at 5-under-par 137. Hamiltons Alena Sharp was the other Canadian to make it to the weekend, just making the cut at 3 under. Magic Jerseys China . 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Gold Coast youngster Karl Lawton has praised Kiwi international Shaun Johnson for sending him a message of support following a sickening leg injury.Lawtons left leg was broken during his NRL debut against the Warriors in Auckland last Saturday.The 20-year-old also dislocated his ankle in the incident, the second Titans player in a week to suffer such an injury after Nathan Davis was stretchered off in the first half of a clash with Canberra at Robina.Lawton flew back to Australia on Sunday with his left leg encased in plaster and was set to undergo an operation during the week.As Lawton lay in an Auckland hospital he received a text message from the Warriors playmaker wishing him all the bbest in his recovery.ddddddddddddI thought that was just brilliant, a true show of character right there, Lawton said.Johnson is all too familiar with the injury Lawton suffered.His 2015 season came to an agonising end when he broke his ankle scoring a try against Manly in July.Lawton is focusing on the positives as he enters a long rehabilitation, saying the memory of his NRL debut hasnt been ruined by the injury.My dream was to play one game of NRL, Ive accomplished that, he said.To be honest, Im just stoked I got to play NRL, its the best thing in the world. 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