American LPGA rookie Emma Talley is playing the tournament of her life to be in outright second after two rounds of the LPGA sanctioned ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open.
Ranked 354 in the world, Talley earned her LPGA card by finishing ninth on the Symetra Tour money list last year.
The 23-year-old from Kentucky made four birdies and a bogey today for a 3-under 69 to take her total to 7-under after two rounds at the picturesque Kooyonga Golf Club.
Emma Talley is three strokes behind South Korean Jin Young Ko who followed an opening round of 65 with a 3-under 69 today to take her score to -10.
She said while her short game was the best feature of her round yesterday, today it was her ball striking that came to the fore.
“I hit the ball really well and my driver was back to normal today and my irons were really good,” Talley said.
“I actually missed a few putts around today but that’s okay, I’m just going to stay patient and hopefully tomorrow they’ll sink.”
Mo Martin is the next best placed American behind Talley on 4-under after an even par second round and had to fight hard in windy afternoon conditions.
However, she said she loved playing in the Australian Open, where she made her LPGA debut in 2012.
“So it’s got a special place in my heart and everybody’s been super receptive, the galleries have been great,” Martin said.
“We had a ton of people out there today, we really appreciate the support.
“I see that the lead position has kind of slipped away forward, but you never know, two more days and I’m just going to control what I can control and enjoy the game here.”
Megan Khang is tied for 14th on 2-under while Cristie Kerr, Lindy Duncan, Alex Marina, Ally McDonald and Katelyn Dambaugh are all 1-under, well inside the =3 cut line..
Players have praised the quality of the Kooyonga course in the South Australian capital Adelaide, saying it has some of the best quality fairways they have ever seen.
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