There were lower scores on day one of the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville, but it would be hard to make the case there were many better rounds than that of Sydney teenager Sophie Yip.
The 14-year-old from Concord Golf Club – the youngest player in the field – signed for a 1-under 71 in the morning wave to sit inside the top 20 as the afternoon players reached the mid-point of their rounds.
Yip, who only drives the ball an average of 200 metres, made five birdies against two bogeys and a double in rainy morning conditions at the northern NSW course.
“My putting was just amazing today,” she said matter of factly by way of explanation of the score.
“I think I had about 24 putts, and I just sank everything. I had to hit a lot of woods and hybrids into the greens, so the course played quite long for me, but I was a bit lucky on the greens.”
Yip, who qualified for the US Women’s Amateur last year at 13, is the reigning Victorian Girls Junior champion and said she had come to the tournament with few expectations.
“I’m really happy because this is my first professional event and I just came here to learn a few things from the professionals and have fun with my mum,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say I have high expectations. I just want to stay in the game and not get ahead of myself.”
Asked what she would do to prepare for tomorrow’s round, she said she would be spending the evening studying.
“I have a maths exam on Tuesday when I get back to school, so I have to study for it,” she said.
If her maths is as good as her golf was on day one, it would be fair to assume she will pass with flying colours.