Two Australians made it through to the week-end at the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic in South Carolina.

NSW’s Emma de Groot and WA’s Jayde Panos (pictured) and New Zealand Liv Cheng made it through to Saturday’s third round.  All three players made it through on the cut number of 5-over-par.  A total of 72 players will contest for the US$200,000 on offer. Unfortunately Bre Elliott, Julia Boland and Su Oh all missed the cut by one, along with Courtney Massey who was further back.

The tournament is being led by American Lacey Agnew, who has posted rounds of 68 and 69 to be at seven-under-par.

Agnew will take a one shot lead over Alejandra Llaneza (Mexico City, Mexico), 6-under 138, into the weekend. Jimin Kang (Seoul, South Korea) and Emily Talley (Napa, Calif.) are two shots back at 5-under 139.

The cut was made at 5-over-par 149 and a total of 72 players will tee off on Saturday. 

Agnew is chatting with and soaking up all the advice from good friend LPGA World Golf Hall of Famer, Nancy Lopez.

“I spoke with Nancy over text last night and I’ll probably give her another phone call and see what other advice she has,” said Agnew, who struck up a relationship with Lopez two years ago. “Obviously what she says works so I will absolutely be calling her again soon.”

Agnew started relatively slow with a bogey on the fourth hole, but made the turn at 4-under with a birdie on nine. She tied Kang for the lead with a birdie on 13 and seized the lead with birdies on 14 and 15.

“I was getting nervous on the front nine when things weren’t going as planned,” said Agnew. “After making birdie on the ninth hole, I just told myself to settle in and be patient and then I made three straight birdies.”

The last time Agnew held a 36-hole lead was the Island Resort Championship in 2014. She struggled on the final day and finished in a tie for ninth. 

Agnew is excited to erase the demons of Harris, Michigan and earn her first professional win this weekend.

“To walk off 18 and see my name on the leaderboard with a one-shot lead is very exciting.”

Agnew is the only player in the field to post two rounds in the 60’s.