The threats were meant to be coming, but it’s the youngster Celine Boutier who is poised for the biggest win of her professional career as the Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville enters the business end here at Coffs Harbour.
Starting with a five-shot lead overnight, the 24-year-old has added two birdies on the front nine to be at -12 for the tournament and unlikely to be caught.
Briton Holly Clyburn’s wishes for the “rub of the green” today seem to have evaporated, with just a single bogey in between regulation pars through the front nine, and with the leader seemingly out of reach.
The biggest challenge has come from young American Katie Burnett who scored back-to-back birdies on six and seven. But it could have been even better, narrowly missing a four-footer on seven for eagle, then a 12-footer on eight for birdie. Nevertheless, this tournament is still for the taking despite the buffer Boutier enjoys.
The finishing stretch of holes on the incredible Bonville course starts from 12, with challenges throughout the finish.
Australians Hannah Green and Rebecca Artis are probably too far back now. Green has played solid to be at even par for the day, whilst Artis is one-over for her round which is now on the back nine.
LEADERBOARD (after 10 holes)
1: Boutier, Celine – 12
2: Burnett, Katie – 8
T3: Holmqvist, Daniela – 6
T3: Jonsdottir, Valdis – 6
T5: Cowan, Olivia – 5
T5: Madsen, Nanna – 5
T7:Clyburn, Holly – 4
T7: Green, Hannah – 4
T9: Danielson, Casey -2
T9: Thanapolboonyaras, Pannarat – 2
T9: Artis, Rebecca – 2