Fate of Yin and Prashanth Hanging By a Thread

Augusta, Georgia, United States: The Augusta National fate of China’s Yin Xiaowen and Indian Avani Prashanth is hanging by a thread.

On a day of weather disruptions, Yin and Prashanth were among only nine players in the 72-strong field who succeeded in completing their second rounds in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA).

With play due to resume early Friday morning, the duo now face a tense wait to see whether their 36-hole aggregates of five-over 149 will enable them to progress to the third and final round at Augusta National on Saturday.

Joint third after an opening 71, Yin made what may prove to be a hugely significant birdie on the par-five 18th at Champions Retreat Golf Club to record a 78.

For her part, Prashanth, at 15 one of the youngest players in the field, had a solid 73.

As things stood when play was suspended for bad light at 7.52 pm (local time), Yin and Prashanth were in a share of 26th place.

On Friday morning they will have to rely on the fortunes of other before finding out if they finish among the top-30 who will qualify for the final round.

Although the cut is projected to be made at four-over, there are 11 players sitting one stroke back, including world number one Rose Zhang. If needed, a play-off will be held following the completion of the second round to fill the top-30 spots.

When play was halted on Thursday, Amari Avery, Hailey Borja and Beatrice Wallin were tied for first at even-par.

It proved to be a tough day for the 17-strong Asia-Pacific contingent.

Currently the leading player from the region is Korean Bang Shin-sil who is one-under through 17 holes and three-over for the tournament, in joint 14th spot.

Australian Kirsten Rudgeley, Japan’s Rin Yoshida and China's Zeng Liqi are all on the cut line at four-over. Rudgeley has six holes of her second round remaining and Yoshida and Zeng seven holes.

They will need strong finishes on Friday morning as will Malaysian Ashley Lau (six-over with nine holes remaining) and Korean Hwang You-min, Japan’s Ayaka Tezuka and Thai Rina Tatematsu (all at seven-over and playing the back nine).

Unlikely now to qualify for the final round are Australian Emily Mahar and Chinese Taipei’s Lu Hsin-yu (both 152) and Japan’s Hinano Muguruma (154).

Still to complete their second rounds are Korean Lee Jeong-hyun (eight-over through 10); China’s Ye Lei (nine-over through 14); Japan’s Mizuki Hashimoto (nine-over through 10); and Singapore’s Shannon Tan (12-over through 15).

Following the conclusion of the second round, all 72 competitors will proceed to Augusta National Golf Club for a practice round.