Karis Davidson
(Golf Queensland Photo)

Davidson, the fifth-seed and one of only four Australians remaining after the Round of 32 in the Women’s Australian Amateur Championship at Yarra Yarra Golf Club, presented by Swinging Skirts, was in dire trouble at 1 down on the 17th tee.

But with Taiwan’s Han-Hsuan Yu closing in on an improbable win against the Queenslander, Davidson found a way to channel her inner angst.

“I was a bit fired up, but I used it in a good way to then use my concentration to finish par-birdie,” the 18- year-old said.

“And I like the last hole (the par-five 18th) – I can reach it in two … so I thought that would work for me and it did.”

Davidson, at No. 103 in the world Australia’s highest-ranked attendee this week, was clearly relieved to progress, but immediately threw her focus towards Friday's Round of 16.

“I’m really excited, one step closer to the final,” she said.

The only other Aussies to survive the first knockout day were Queensland’s Dee Dee Russell, a 1 up winner over Kiwi Brittney Dryland, young Sydneysider Steph Kyriacou and Victorian Montana Strauss who each knocked out Aussies, Georgia Milbourne and Becky Kay, respectively.

Strauss, whose clubmates from The National were on hand in numbers, was delighted with her win over an opponent with considerable international experience.

“I had to keep grinding out there, it was quite tough … we both hit some good and bad shots, but it was good to get the win in the end,” said Strauss, who next faces U.S. Women's Amateur champion Eun Jeong Seong.

West Australian pair Maddison Tolchard and Kathryn Norris went down fighting, as did Queenslander Eunice Kim and Victorian duo Olivia Kline and Gabi Ruffels.

Ruffels, in particular, did well to push Korean medallist Hye-jin Choi to the 16th green and even had chances midway through the back nine to draw within a hole of the world No. 4.

Five of the six other Koreans playing won through to the Round of 16, while Japan’s Riri Sadoyama continues to impress, this time taking out countrywoman Mone Inami 3&2.

The women’s Round of 16 will be played on Friday.