Golf at the highest level suddenly became a lot easier for American Stacy Lewis last year.
And even the famous Royal Melbourne layout held no fears as she skipped to a share of the lead after the first round of the Women’s Australian Open.
Since last year’s breakthrough LPGA win – which happened to be a major on the women’s tour, the Kraft Nabisco Championship – Lewis has grown comfortable at the top.
Playing for the first time at the composite layout, she fired six birdies – and two bogeys – to lead with Australian Sarah Kemp after the opening day.
Lewis said she “fell in love with the course” the first time she saw it, awed by its demand for creative golf.
But she is far from over-awed, either by the course or the company.
Following her win in March, Lewis collected 10 top-10 finishes, including runner-up at the Evian Masters.
“I’m much more confident, just with the year I’ve had,” Lewis said.
“I had such a consistent year. I was in contention quite a bit and you just get comfortable there.
“You don’t worry when you’re a couple under and you see your name on the leaderboard and it’s not that big of a deal.”
She pinpointed one particular hole which she said would give her a boost as she attempts to retain the lead on Friday.
“I made a bad swing on eight,” she said.
“I hit my drive way down there on the par five and only had about 165 metres to the front of the green.
“I hit it into the bunker then made about a 30 footer for birdie so I think that really gives me some momentum, going into tomorrow.
“I hit a bad iron shot and a bad bunker shot and still made birdie,” Lewis said.