South Korean star Jiyai Shin laid down a challenge but brilliant Kiwi teen amateur Lydia Ko was responding during the second round of the Australian Women’s Open golf championship at Royal Canberra.

Starting in the morning, two-time major champion Shin fired a six-under par 67 to follow her opening 65 and surged ahead.

However overnight leader Ko wasted little time in catching former world No.1 Shin in the afternoon and was tied with her on 14-under after her first eight holes yielded four birdies.

Fifteen-year-old Ko was backing up her dazzling opening round 10-under 63 when the winner of three tournaments against pros made 11 birdies and an eagle and needed just 21 putts.

The seasoned Shin was not too concerned by a bogey on the final hole of her second round.

There’s a good chance that Shin and Ko will be the leading pair and play alongside each other in round three on Saturday, something Shin welcomed despite some mixed emotion.

“I’m really happy to play with her,” said Shin.

“She’s so young. She’s nine years younger than me. It makes it a little sad for me because I’m still young, but when I play with her, not anymore.”

Overnight second place Mariajo Uribe from Colombia was at 10-under after eight holes and tied third with Western Australia’s Kristie Smith who surged with a second consecutive 68.

Queensland’s Sarah Jane Smith shot a 70 to be tied sixth.

Four-time winner Karrie Webb was close to the cut line after a 74 left her one-under and at equal 62nd place, with only the top 70 plus ties to make it through to the weekend.