Kim & # 39; s 66 gives Aussies double # WAAP hope

The revival of Grace Kim has again given Australia a chance to win a title in Japan.

Kim, 18, started the day 10 shots off the pace, but early birdies at two, three, and six enabled the Sydneysider to top up the Amateur Asia-Pacific for Women.

Her birdie outbreak continued on the previous nine and her six-under-66 was the lowest lap of the day.

Tour leader and Australian teammate Becky Kay took the lead back after a spectacular chip-in from the back of the fourth green.

But a series of unfortunate lip-outs left the Queenslander ahead of the day in a share of fourth place overall with Japan & # 39; s Yuna Nishimura and Korea & # 39; s Ye Won Lee on even par.

Kim will look forward to continuing today's form as she starts the final 18-hole confrontation with a shot from Kay and five shots from Japan's new leader Yuka Yasuda.

"Today it was all about getting my head into the right room, hitting greens and two-putting," said Kim, the winner of the Australian Order of Merit 2018.

"I started fairly stably making par on the first hole that set me up and then the second hole that I packed a 40-footer for birdie."

After tumultuous conditions had destroyed the field yesterday, Kim earned a hot putter for her 15-turn turn.

"Today would be a tough day again considering the weather," said the world No.69.

"I was not really focused on my score because I tend to score a little bit focused & # 39 ;, which puts me in the wrong headspace.

"I thought about what I could have done better yesterday, and that wasn't thinking about what happened in previous holes. I really applied that today in my game, which helped."

Kay, who set a track record in the first round – an eight-in-a-row 64 – found comfort in her time despite the fact that she knew she had begged many putts.

"Today I played very well, although nothing really went my way," said the Golden Coaster.

"I had a big hoof and four lip-outs, that's difficult.

"I really didn't do anything wrong, which was a bit disappointing, but I am still in the mix.

"If I hole my par-5s birdie and my little wells, I can definitely have a chance for tomorrow."

Yasuda will take a two-step lead over defending champion Atthaya Thitikul and Australian Amateur champion Yae Eun Hong in the last 18 holes.

Meanwhile, Doey Choi signed for a group of three over 75 to participate in a shared 29th position with Steph Kyriacou after 12 holes after 12 holes.

Victoria & # 39; s Julienne Soo sits alone at 40th, while West Australian Maddison Hinson-Tolchard takes another five shots back in T48.

The winner, crowned on Sunday afternoon, will earn invitations to play in two major championships – the Women's British Open and the Evian Championship – and the 2020 Augusta National Women's & # 39; s Amateur.

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