Click here for live scoring from the 2019 Queen Sirikit Cup.
It wasn’t the original goal, but the Australian team is in the box seat to take second place in the Queen Sirikit Cup in Adelaide.
Powered by a brilliant late second-round salvo from Sydney’s Doey Choi, the host nation was happy to keep a series of contenders at bay to sit second at two over.
And although a modern miracle will be required to run down leader Korea at 12 under, Choi is confident the Australians will show out tomorrow at Glenelg.
“I don’t think any of us have quite put our best together yet, so if we can do that on Friday, we should be good,” said Choi, who made several key par-saves late in her first nine holes before unleashing five birdies in her closing 12 holes for a quality three-under-par 70.
“If I miss the green I’m not too fussed because my short game has been really good and helping me a lot.”
It was enough to have the Concord member, who was fourth against the pros at the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville two weeks ago, in a share of fourth place individually at one under through two rounds.
“I tried to think about what I did a couple of weeks ago at Bonville, hit greens and be patient and that’s what I did,” said Choi, who vowed the Aussies would chase Korea hard in the final round.
“I think so. We don’t have much to lose and all three of us are playing pretty good, so we’ll give it our best shot tomorrow.”
Fellow New South Wales state player Steph Kyriacou fought gallantly today after a triple-bogey seven on her opening hole, the 10th, put her on the back foot.
The Australian Master of the Amateurs champ hit back with four birdies to close on red number momentarily, but gave a couple back with another late double-bogey on the eighth to sign for a 76 to sit in a share of ninth at three over.
Victorian Julienne Soo couldn’t find her range early and was disappointed to card an 84 that left her at 17 over through two rounds.
“It was a struggle,” admitted Soo, who openly appreciated her teammates’ scoring power.
“Tomorrow I just want to put a score on the board and actually contribute … but if not the girls are obviously in good form.”