According to the script, Doey Choi’s magical week at the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville should have stumbled by now.
The 18-year-old amateur stunned the field in the opening round with a 6-under 66 that was good for a two-shot lead and grabbed all the first day headlines.
While not unheard of, amateurs leading professional events almost universally feel the pressure and fade at some point, but it seems the likeable Sydneysider hasn’t read that script.
Choi was impressive Friday despite shooting 2-over and on another breezy day, playing in the final group no less, was around in even par figures Saturday to keep a place in the top five with one round remaining.
A naturally bubbly character, Choi has been upbeat all week despite the pressure of being at the pointy end of the leaderboard and said she plans to continue with that attitude tomorrow.
“I’m just going out there and having fun and not really thinking about the score,” she said, proving there is one facet of the professional game she has already mastered.
“I’m just trying to learn a lot out there playing with the pros and being in that environment.
Doey Choi said post round.
“I think I learnt a lot last week playing in the Australian Open and just being in that environment and I think I’ve taken that this week and run with it a little bit.”
Choi has been an elite performer at the amateur level for the best part of five years and appears to be relishing the opportunity to test her game the pressure cooker of a professional event.
“I’m hitting it good, and I feel really good about my short game so I’m just going to try to do the same thing tomorrow and hopefully I’ll have another solid round.,” she said of her strategy for the final round.
“I usually struggle in the wind, but I’ve done well this week just playing my own game.
Choi will be in the second to last group on Sunday alongside France’s Celine Herbin and Sweden’s Jenny Haglund teeing off at 8.55am AEDT.
Live coverage will be on FOXSports channel 507 from 10.30am.