Lydia Ko gave another masterclass in golf at Royal Canberra today, but she was upstaged by Colombian Mariajo Uribe, who will go into the weekend with a one-shot lead at the Women's Australian Open.
New Zealander Ko made world headlines with her record-breaking 10-under par round yesterday and she appeared to be headed on a similar path when she made four birdies in the opening seven holes today.
Ko had five birdies in her round, but squandered a chance to
retain a share of the lead when she bogeyed the par-4 14th.
"I just thought 6-iron would be the club and I hit it well, but it
just took a big bounce and it went straight over the green," she
said.
Uribe is winless on the official LPGA circuit and it's the first
time she has led at the halfway mark.
"It's funny because the tournaments I've played better are the ones
where I'm not hitting the ball that well. I come in with lower
expectations," Uribe said.
"I'm not hitting the ball all that well, but I'm putting great,"
she said.
Uribe said she didn't expect to go into round three as outright
leader despite jumping to the lead after a birdie on the par-5 18th
hole.
"I figured Lydia was probably making a birdie too, because I saw
her card yesterday and she makes a lot of birdies," she said.
Despite her late misfortune, Ko was happy.
"Four-under is a pretty good score out there. It's not an easy golf
course, so I'm pretty sure it is a good score for me."
Ko will be partnered with Australia's Kristie Smith on Saturday
after the West Australian surged to fourth with a second
consecutive 68.
"I putted fantastically and that's what got me my five-under today
and in the hunt going into the weekend," she said.