Grace Kim faced a choice - take on Asia's best amateur golfers in Adelaide or take on the pros in Queanbeyan.
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Not surprisingly, the Sydney-based golfer opted for the latter at the Women's NSW Open as she felt it would be better for her development.
She sits in a tie for 45th after she shot a two-over 73 to sit 10 shots behind leader Valdis Jonsdottir, from Iceland.
France's Astrid Vayson de Pradenne was second on five-under, while Australia's Rebecca Artis and Carmen Alonso, from Spain, were in a tie for third, a shot further back.
Kim goes into Friday's second round hoping to make the cut for the weekend as she prepares herself for the rigours of the professional game.
The 18-year-old thought about turning pro at the end of 2019, but she feels that could come too soon and she'll aim to go through qualifying school at the end of 2020 instead.
She'd been invited to play for Australia at the Queen Sirikit Cup at Glenelg this week, but already had her eye on playing in Queanbeyan.
Kim also played at the Australian Ladies Classic in Bonville two weeks ago.
"I got a call from Golf Australia saying I got selected in the Queen Sirikit team, but they already knew I had my mind set more on this week," she said.
"Everyone around me who works with me thought it was better for me to experience [playing] with these pros.
"I'd get a lot more out of this week than if I went to Queen Sirikit in Adelaide. I thought it was a better option."
Kim had a tough start on Thursday, opening with a bogey on her first hole before drifting out to five-over on her opening nine.
But she fought back on the run home with four birdies to work her way back towards par.
"A bit of a struggle today. I got off to a rough start, but I'm happy to have that little come back," Kim said.
"I realised I was getting into my bad habits for putting and that just clicked on the back nine so I got a few birdies in there.
"I know I've left a lot out there so hopefully I can do a better round [on Friday]."
Kim has good memories of Canberra, having
at the Federal Amateur Open in November.
"It is a good track over here [at Queanbeyan] and at Federal so looking forward to this week," she said.
WOMEN'S NSW OPEN
Friday-Sunday: Play from 7.30am in round two. Entry to the course is free.
