Talented Queenslander Becky Kay posted a cool 2-under round to move into the lead at the Rene Erichsen Salver after 54 holes.
The Coolangatta-Tweed Heads member rattled off five birdies in perfect conditions at Royal Adelaide to take charge of the tournament and lead Western Australian Kathryn Norris (74) and Victorian Montana Strauss (72) by two strokes, heading into the final round.
“I was pretty happy, I started birdie, birdie, but then dropped two and got it back to 2-under and pretty much just stayed the same the whole round. A few up and downs, but I was happy with how I played”.
“I think I knew I was leading, but it won’t change anything for tomorrow, just stick to my game plan and think about the next shot.” Kay said.
Kay has an affinity with Royal Adelaide winning the Junior Masters in January and held a four-shot leading heading into the final round, closing it out comfortably with an even par finish.
“I love this course, so hopefully I go low, hopefully I can do it again.” Kay added.
Hot on Kay’s heels with be 16-year-old Kathryn Norris from Mandurah Golf Club.
“I hit it pretty solid, I just didn’t have a very good day on the greens, I didn’t really hole too many putts and didn’t make birdie from good positions really and then I bogeyed the last hole. It was solid, I just didn’t hole as many as I would have liked to.” Norris said.
Grouped again with Kay and Strauss, Norris is looking forward to competing again in the final group.
“We are all pretty good friends, so it was a nice round of golf today, but obviously tomorrow we are going to be aware of where we are, but the best on the day will win. I will just have to play as good as I can”.
“I think starting well here is the key, because getting good momentum you can go really low, but if you start off rough you can imagine it only gets worse.”
“I’m younger, so I’m happy to be in the top group, its good experience, just play good, see what happens”. Norris added.
Long Island’s Montana Strauss is still lurking and the 20-year-old is right in the mix.
“I played a lot steadier today, I had three birdies and a double, so I was just more consistent. I didn’t really hole as many putts as I wanted to, but I was hitting the ball a lot better”.
“Hopefully I can get a few back tomorrow, the plan will be to attack early. On the front nine I will really try and hit it close and go for it because that’s the nine you can score low and then on the back nine, really try and be steady and have a good finish.”
Queenslander Gennai Goodwin is in fourth position at 1-over, while South Australian’s duo Jin-young Yun and Ella Adams both from The Grange are tied 10th at 6-over.
The leading women’s group of Kay, Norris and Strauss tee off at 8.48am on Friday 24 March at Royal Adelaide.