Hannah Darling faces test of character in Augusta National Women's Amateur

Hannah Darling faces a test of character on Friday morning in her bid to be involved in the exciting final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

The start of play in the second round at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta was delayed until 3pm due to inclement weather in Georgia.

It meant that only nine of the 72 competitors had completed 36 holes when play was suspended at 7.52pm due to darkness, with the second circuit resuming at 7.30am on Friday.

Darling, who had opened with a one-over-par 73 to sit joint-ninth, had slipped to joint-18th on four-over by the time the action was halted for the day.

Hannah Darling in action during the second round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Picture: Augusta National Women's Amateur

The Girls’ Amateur champion from Broomieknowe was tied for fifth after being one-under early on in her second round before dropping two shots in three holes before the turn.

One of those came at the par-5 18th, where she’d finished with a 7 the previous day, meaning it had cost her three shots in two visits.

The young Scot, who has been in sparkling form for the University of South Carolina, then bogeyed the second and sixth on her back nine.

With three holes left to play, she’s in a tie for 18th and needs to finish in the top 30 to make it through to Saturday’s final circuit at Augusta National.

Louise Duncan in action during the second round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Picture: Augusta National Women's Amateur

Louise Duncan, Darling’s fellow Scot, will only be a spectator for that, sitting on 10-over with four holes to play.

The Women’s Amateur champion from West Kilbride needed a low one after an opening 79 and, also playing the back nine first, started with a birdie.

But the wind was soon taken out of her sails by back-to-back bogeys to follow and she was three-over for the day when play was suspended.

Swede Beatrice Wallin shares the lead with American duo Hailey Borja and Amari Avery on level-par, with world No 1 Rose Zhang resuming on five-over, which is the projected play-off mark.

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

Being held for the third time, Darling and Duncan are the first two Scots to compete in the tournament, which precedes The Masters.

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