Aussies tied fifth in Queen Sirikit Cup in South Korea

Karis Davidson battles on in tough conditions 

 

by Mark Hayes

Karis Davidson tees off on Jeju Island.

 

Australia is handy after day one of the Queen Sirikit Cup, but the hometown  South Korean horse might have already bolted.
Spearheaded by Hannah Green’s one-over-par 73 in wet and windy conditions on Jeju Island, Australia recorded a six-over-par total to sit tied fifth on 150 after the first of three rounds.
But led by Australian Amateur Championship quarter-finalist Hyun-kyung Park’s superb 69, the South Korean team skipped well clear of the field at four under par, based on the best two of three individual scores for each team.
Young Gold Coast duo Karis Davidson (77) and Robyn Choi (83) were gallant, but found the extremely testing conditions at Ora Country Club tough going.
Green, 19, of Perth, W Australia had been four under early in her round before conditions deteriorated and she, just as her teammates did before her, took a double-bogey on the 13th to a tough pin position.
Innerleithen-born Davidson, 17, who a fortnight ago won the Australian Junior Championship, really knuckled down to finish her round strongly and keep the team in the hunt.
“They were difficult conditions for all players today,” Australian coach Virginia Irwin said after the round.
“The Aussie girls were grinding hard to bring in a score for the team and they’re already looking forward to competing hard again in round two.”
New Zealand, on the back of Munchin Keh’s 71, and China, primarily through Du Mohan’s 71, share second in the team category at 145. Those two and South Korea’s Hye-jin Choi share second place on the individual leaderboard.
The Philippines is outright fourth on 147, with Taiwan and Australia next best at 150.
Play continues tomorrow before the final round on Friday