Doey Choi has breezed into a share of second place at the 118th Women’s Western Golf Amateur at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Illinois.
Choi got off to a flyer, rocketing to three under par after just six holes before a run of seven straight pars slowed her progress.
Her only blemish of the day came on the par three 14th, where she made bogey. She got the shot back a couple of holes later with a great birdie on the 17th, before parring the last to finish in red figures.
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“I played pretty good today. I putted good, I hit it good, overall pretty solid.
“The front nine was kind of easy, but the back nine was a little winder, I made only one bogey, but otherwise it was pretty steady golf,” Choi said.
The top 32 players after tomorrow's second round will progress to the matchplay round and Choi is confident she will impress during the knock-out rounds which begin on Wednesday (US time).
Choi has a busy few weeks planned. She will attempt Pre-Qualifying for the US Women’s Amateur in Houston early next week before attending the Golf Australia High Performance camp. After that it’s the IMG Junior World Championships in San Diego, followed by the US Junior Girls, The Canadian Amateur, and with some luck, the US Women’s amateur in Tennessee.
Thankfully, the 18-year-old has some company to keep her from geting homesick.
“I miss home, but I’ve been in good form so it’s going pretty quick.
“I’m travelling with mum. She was only meant to stay for two weeks, but after I qualified for the ‘Girls she has decided to stay until then,” Choi smiled.
Four Australians are in the field this week; Victorian Gabriela Ruffels carded a one-under-par 71, The low Amateur at The Australian Ladies Classic, Stephanie Bunque is at two over, while Queensland’s Dee Dee Russell is in a tie for 50th at three over.
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