Australians Alison Whitaker and Kristie Smith have moved into the top 10 heading into Sunday’s final round of the Sanya Ladies Open in China.

Whitaker has posted rounds of 68 and 69 on the Yalong Bay Golf Club layout to be at seven-under-par total and shares sixth place, while Smith is a further stroke back after posting consecutive rounds of 69. Smith is tied for eighth.

The Aussie pair will be chasing South Korean Ye Na Chung who is at 12-under-par after rounds of 64 and 68. Chung, who has not won on the LET will be looking over her shoulder as she has the most consistent player on the LET this year right behind her.

South African Lee-Anne Pace is just one stroke back after rounds of 67 and 66.
The 32-year-old has already won twice this year and posted another five top 10 finishes. Pace loves playing in China and won this event back in 2010.

Chinese amateur Yu Ting Shi is performing extremely well, she is outright third at 10-under-par and right in the mix. Swedes Linda Wessberg and Mikaela Parmlid are at nine-under and eight-under respectively.

Of the other Australians in the field, Sarah Kemp (72) is tied for 12th position at four-under-par. Unfortunately for first round leader Nikki Campbell, she couldn’t back up her career low score of 63. The ACT player signed for a disappointing 78 to fall back in a tie for 18th at three-under. Frances Bondad also shares 18th with Campbell, with Stacey Keating a further shot back and tied for 30th.

Stephanie Na had a very good day, she posted a four-under-par 68 to move herself from outside the projected cut to inside the cut number. Na is at even-par and tied for 49th.

The cut was made at one-over and 65 players will contest tomorrow’s final round. Unfortunately for Australians Bree Arthur, Nikki Garrett, Rebecca Artis and Ashlee Dewhurst they all missed the cut.