Overnight leader maintains lead at Women's Australian Open

Overnight leader maintains lead at Women's Australian Open

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:07 p.m. ET

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) Overnight leader Jin Young Ko shot a 3-under 69 on Friday to increase her lead to three strokes after two rounds of the Women's Australian Open.

The South Korean had a 36-hole total of 10-under 134 on the Kooyonga Golf Club course.

Ko said: ''I like this course ...Korean courses are more long and narrow. But here it is wider, so stress is less.''

American Emma Talley, the 2013 U.S.amateur champion, was in second place after a 69, following her opening 68.

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''Yesterday my short game was unbelievable and I kind of kept it going all day,'' Talley said. ''I actually missed a few putts around today but that's OK, I'm just going to stay patient and hopefully tomorrow they'll sink.''

Former No. 1 and 2013 Australian winner Jiyai Shin was another stroke behind and tied for third after a 71 in the second event on the LPGA Tour this season. Sun Young Hoo was also four strokes behind after a 70.

Another former No. 1, Lydia Ko, shot 74 and was eight strokes behind. England veteran Laura Davies shot 71 and was nine shots from the lead.

Australian veteran and five-time Australian champion Karrie Webb had five bogeys and a double bogey on her way to a 78 and missed the cut. Webb, who had played just once since September, and that was in a team event, has said she will play a part-time schedule this year.

Brooke Henderson also missed the cut after a 76, tied for 81st with Webb.

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