Mariajo Uribe earned a one-stroke lead at the mid-way point of the Ladies Australian Open, but Lydia Ko and Jiyai Shin are breathing down her neck.
Colombian Uribe enjoyed a bogey-free six-under par 67 to go with her opening round 64 at the Royal Canberra Golf Club, moving her to 15 under.
Uribe had five birdies in her opening 10 holes, before a more sedate back nine saw her make a lone birdie at the 18th.
She is trailed by impressive 15-year-old New Zealand amateur Ko, who followed her brilliant 63 on Thursday with a 69 to sit one stroke back on 14 under, where she is joined by world number eight Shin of Japan, who shot 67.
Australian Kristie Smith is the next best, five shots off the pace on 10 under, with Spaniard Beatriz Recari a shot behind her.
England’s Holly Aitchison and Australian Sarah Jane Smith are on eight under, with a chasing pack of six women on minus seven, including world number one Yani Tseng, who shot 71.
Uribe remains the woman to catch heading into the weekend, and the 22-year-old said the experience of playing with nerveless youngster Ko will help her keep cool.
“I’m not really that type of player that gets nervous,” she said.
“I love pressure, so that’s when I play better usually, when I have pressure.
“I’m just going to be relaxed and if I have to play with Lydia, I’m sure I’m going to be relaxed because she’s so chilled on the golf course.”
