Date: May 21, 2015
Author: Mark Hayes

Green surge keeps Aussies in touch

It wasn’t exactly a roar, but Australia pushed through the Queen Sirikit Cup field today.

Perth’s Hannah Green poured in some late birdies on the Hong Kong Golf Club’s New Course to fire a one-under-par 71 on day two of the three-round Asia Pacific women’s teams event.

And with Sydney’s Liz Elmassian adding a 73, Australia pushed to fifth, but just one shot shy of a three-way tie for second place.

Powerhouse and defending champion Korea vaulted out to a nine-stroke lead based on the top two daily scores of each three-woman team.

Japan, Philippines and host Hong Kong are tied for second on 290, one clear of Australia.

Australian coach Tony Meyer said his team had fought hard in high winds, and only struggles on the greens prevented an even bigger surge after the team was well back in sixth after round one.

He said Green, Elmassian and Becky Kay, who carded a 76 today, had spent a long time on the practice green after their rounds.

“The girls are playing very well, just not having much luck on the greens,” Meyer said.

“The conditions have been tough with wind and rain the first couple of days, but they’re striking the ball well.

“We just need a couple of putts to drop tomorrow and we should be OK.”

Green had been a couple of shots over par early in her second round after opening with a  73 on day one and has forged into sixth overall on the individual leaderboard at even-par.

Elmassian is in a tie for 10th at three over, while Kay is 20th at six over.

But the biggest issue for the chasing teams is that the three leaders – Hyun Kyung Park (-4), Eun Soo Jang (-3) and Joung Eun Lee (-3) – are all Korean.