** Australia's gold sub-index .AXGD rise as much as 2.6% to 17,558.20, their best intraday session since November 27

** Gold prices were steady on Thursday, as rising U.S. Treasury yields offset support from a weaker dollar GOL/

** Gold miners Genesis Minerals GMD.AX and Evolution Mining EVN.AX advance 1.4% and 1%, respectively

** The sub-index, however, is down 2.1% in the week so far

** AXGD has risen over 100% this year, including day's moves

(Reporting by Roshan Thomas in Bengaluru)

((Roshan.Thomas@thomsonreuters.com;))