Victorian amateur golf star Jazy Roberts has opened up a commanding 12-stroke lead after 36 holes of the Bowra & O’Dea Women’s Classic.
The 21-year-old Australian international dominated a high-calibre field at Mount Lawley Golf Club as she carded rounds of 69 (five under par) and 68 (six under par) to set a scorching pace no one could get close to.
Roberts, the reigning Australian women’s amateur champion, made a blistering start to the championship, making birdie at Mount Lawley’s par-five second before holing out for an eagle from 135m on the third.
A bogey followed, but Roberts picked it back up with a birdie at the eighth to reach the turn at three under par.
Her hot form continued into the back nine as she mixed three birdies with a single dropped shot for a five-under-par 69 that gave her a four-shot advantage.
If that was a warning shot to the field, Roberts’ afternoon round was even more impressive as she mixed four birdies and an eagle with a single dropped shot in a dazzling round of 68.
It moved Roberts to 11 under par for the championship — a record low score for 36 holes — an incredible 12 strokes clear of the pack.
As the nation’s leading woman in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Roberts knows how to run from the front, but says she’s taking nothing for granted with two rounds still to play.
“Hopefully I’m in a good position, but this is a tricky course and anything can happen,” she said.
“It’s very tight around here and there are a lot of bunkers, but I kept it on the fairway today and made a few putts, particularly on the par fives.”
Roberts’ nearest challengers are Jordyn Deen (Concord Golf Club, NSW) and Nalynn Kim (Gosnells Golf Club), who share second place at one over par for the championship.
Round three of the championship takes place on Tuesday with the final round on Wednesday.