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Australia’s first chance for women’s Australian Amateur Championship glory since 2015 is no longer.
There will be international hands on the trophy with the final to be decided between golfers from South Korea and Japan.
Hong Yaeeun took down Australia’s last hope, Victoria’s Steph Bunque, on a dramatic final hole, with the #AusAm debutant prevailing with a quality 1m par putt under intense pressure.
The 16-year-old powerhouse will face in-form Japanese Tsubasa Kajitani in the 36-hole final tomorrow at Woodlands Golf Club.
After nearly throwing away the match with a nervy four-putt on the par-3 17th, the 16-year-old Korean held her nerve with the putter on the 18th to seal a 1-up win.
“Today was tough, I was so nervous,” the Golden Bay Resort member said.
“I never thought I would get here. The courses are wonderful – but very different to Korea.
“I have been practising around the greens a lot, the grass is very firm and tough.”
The other finalist, Kajitani, has been a dominant force at Woodlands this week – and she’s hoping her stellar knockout record will last one more day.
The No.16 seed earned her spot after accounting for compatriot Riri Sadoyama in a gruelling semi-final.
Earlier, the 15-year-old eliminated Queensland’s final hope at the silverware in Cassie Porter with a convincing 5&4 victory in their quarter-final.
The women’s 36-hole final is scheduled to start at 8:30am on Sunday.