So Yeon Ryu might have been born in Korea and play most of her golf in America, but she is practically an honorary Aussie who could all but secure that honour if she were to claim the Patricia Bridges Bowl on Sunday.

Jiyai Shin has already got that trophy on her mantle but has designs on getting another, this time in Melbourne as opposed to the nation’s capital.

Out early at Kingston Heath alongside reigning AIG Women’s Open champion Ashleigh Buhai and Karrie Webb, Ryu made four birdies in her first five holes to pull alongside overnight leader Grace Kim at seven-under.

Then came a mid-round lull playing the course from the 10th tee after a good up-and-down at the par-4 16th, Ryu three putted 17 and the struggles began.

“All of a sudden I lost the feel a little bit with the short irons, so that was disappointing. But I really enjoyed it, and then I really enjoyed both golf courses and I always really enjoy just being here makes me really happy,” Ryu told Golf Australia magazine with no other media commitments on her docket despite sharing the lead at the time.

The 32-year-old bounced back with bridie at the 2nd, but another bogey late in the nine hole loop locked as if it would take her from the lead before the afternoon starters got underway.

Jiyai Shin sits alone in second, quietly looking to upset the home crowds. PHOTO: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Ryu, a two-time major winner and former World No.1, showed her class and grit with a birdie at the 9th, her final hole of the day to sit at seven-under alongside Buhai at seven-under, a score looked like it may lead before Green finished eagle-birdie-par-birdie to sit at 11-under.

“For sure,” Ryu said after the round when asked if playing well without much fanfare suited her. “Also it is really about the confidence, if I can finish strong it is going to be really good way to finish the season and then that way give me more motivation to prepare for next season and then play definitely better than this year.”

It was a similar story for Shin in terms of near anonymity despite herself closing out the round strongly alongside Green. The other former World No.1’s three birdies in four holes seeing her alone in second on nine-under in front of Ryu, Buhai and Kim.

“I had three bogeys today but I’m still happy with that because the course is pretty tough and I had a good finish the last few holes so I’m really happy today,” Shin told this publication.

"I think without this country my career could be a little different. It’s going to be a big part of it if I can win.” - So Yeon Ryu.

“They are nice (the crowds) because even when I’m playing I never think about the crowd so everybody cheers for us so I understand it’s more exciting when Hannah makes birdie or eagle

“She’s showing good golf today and they are reacting but even for me when I play good they make a good reaction.”

The crowds were also behind Ryu, whose Australian connections run deeper than Shin, with Mike Clayton who she calls her “Australian Uncle”, an Aussie caddie (Tom Watson) for much of her career and other Australians in her team.

Making the chance to atone for a six-way play-off loss to Jessica Korda in 2012 at Royal Melbourne even more special.

“I was close one year, 2012, if I am able to going to lift the trophy it is going to be amazing,” Ryu said. “And then I have so many connections with Australia, a lot of my team is Australian, growing up I spent a lot of time in Australia to train. I think without this country my career could be a little different. It’s going to be a big part of it if I can win.”

To win, Ryu and Shin will need to tackle Green who already has two wins at home in 2022 and the crowd behind her. But don’t put it past either prolific winner of achieving that goal and spoiling the party, and perhaps receiving a little more attention this weekend.