Young amateur Kristie Smith fired a four-under round of 69 to lead a pack of professionals in the second round of the women's Australian Open at Kingston Heath yesterday.
Smith, daughter of Australian touring professional Wayne Smith, finished the day at five-under par 141, two strokes clear of South Korea's Shin Ji-yai (72-71). Shin was a shot clear of tournament favorite and Australian titleholder Karrie Webb (72-72), compatriot Lindsey Wright (72-72) and Park Hee-young of South Korea (71-73).
With her father acting as caddy and passing on advice, 19-year-old Smith gave him a share of the credit at the end of her round.
"He's so much help, he knows all the courses, especially this one," she said.
She will be paired in today's third round with South Korean No. 1 Shin.
Overnight leader Finland's Ursula Wikstrom shot a disastrous nine-over 82. The 27-year-old Finn started bogey, bogey, bogey, double-bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey to slip from three-under to five-over before she just managed to beat the halfway cut.
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