Shin Ji-ae "Excited in Australia"... Leading the Pack on Home Course Green

Shin Ji-ae Scores 4-Under Par in 2nd Round of ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open, 2nd Place by 2 Strokes
Yoo So-yeon, Buhai, and Grace Kim Tied for 3rd, Lee Min-ji in 6th Place

Shin Ji-ae is teeing off at the 9th hole on the second day of the ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open. Melbourne=AP·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Shin Ji-ae found strength in Australia.

On the 2nd (local time), Shin Ji-ae shot 4-under par on the second day of the ISPS Handa Australian Women's Open (total prize money 1.7 million Australian dollars) held at Victoria Golf Club (par 72) in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, rising to 2nd place (9-under par 136). Hana Green (Australia), playing on her home course, leads with 11-under par 134, while So-yeon Ryu, Ashleigh Buhai (South Africa), and Grace Kim (Australia) are tied for 3rd place (7-under par 138), engaging in a chase.

Shin Ji-ae recorded seven birdies and three bogeys. On 12 holes, she exchanged three birdies for three bogeys, struggling to lower her score. However, after a birdie on the 13th hole (par 4), she showed strong finishing power with consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes, followed by another birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5). She is two strokes behind the leader, presenting an opportunity to aim for the top again after nine years since her 2013 victory.

Green surged with 6-under par, taking over the top of the leaderboard. Grace Kim, who led the previous day, failed to lower her score with three birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. So-yeon Ryu shot 4-under par, joining the race for the championship. US Women's Open champion Minjee Lee (Australia) is in 6th place (5-under par 140), eyeing a comeback. Chevron Championship winner Jennifer Kupcho (USA) is tied for 9th place (3-under par 142).