Date: January 10, 2007
Author: Alistair Hogg

Kang leads Australian Girls Amateur

By Alistair Hogg Queenslander Haieji Kang shot a six-under par to lead the 2007 Australian Girls Amateur Championship by two strokes from Ashley Dewhurst after round one at Ulverstone, Tasmania. Kang wasted no time in establishing a lead as she eagled her first hole, the par-five tenth before going on to record a 67. Her round included five birdies, but a bogey on 14 prevented her from skipping even further ahead. Dewhurst also shot out of the blocks early with three consecutive birdies, but a final hole bogey meant the Tasmanian had to be content with sitting two strokes behind Kang at the top of the leader board. The local, who has played the course several times, was satisfied with her opening round performance and had the benefit of some home support from the galleries. “Having friends and family here makes me try harder. I think it makes me play a bit better being in my home state. I&aposve got both my parents here and a couple of my friends are coming up during the week which will be good.” West Australian Whitney Hillier is in third place after shooting a three-under 70. Her round included six birdies, a bogey and a double bogey at 16. “I had two average holes, but I came back well,” she said. “I went out there just aiming to play as best I could and see how I go. I wasn t concentrating on scores. I just wanted to play my best,” the West Australian noted. “The course is very nice. The fairways are tough and nice and narrow and the greens are awesome.” The Championship continues tomorrow with the final round being played on Friday. Leading scores after the first round of the Australian Girls Amateur at Ulverstone GC, Tasmania (par 73): -6: H Kang (QLD) -4: A Dewhurst (TAS) -3: W Hillier (WA) -2: Z-B Brake (NZ), G Lennon (VIC) -1: J Marshall (QLD) E: L Eruera (NZ), J Lee (NSW), S Na (SA), S Takuma (QLD) +1: E Ash (SA), C Gay (VIC), B Mathiou (QLD), J Noh (NSW), E Orr (VIC), L Wright (NZ) +2: R Korevaar (VIC), C Nha (QLD), L Wylie (ACT) +3: B Hegarty (QLD) Click here for a full round one leader board.