Jacqui Morgan has consolidated her overnight lead, carding a second round one-over-par 72 in near-perfect conditions this afternoon at Nowra Golf Club.
Starting the day with a two shot buffer, the Monash Country Club stalwart didn’t get off to the best of starts with a bogey on the first, however, she soon found her groove with a birdie at the short par -four 3rd.
Leaderboards
Men’s Leaderboard
Women’s Leaderboard
Two more birdies on the outward nine helped consolidate her position on top of the leaderboard, and despite three bogies on her homeward nine, none of the chasing pack could manage a run at her growing lead.
By the end of the day, Morgan’s lead had reached a commanding eight shots over her nearest competitor, Ryde-Parramatta’s Jane Wall.
Morgan said the quality of her play had not been entirely unexpected, saying the key to her stellar performance was more a case of common sense and not trying to overplay her hand, especially around the tight Nowra Layout..
“I’m playing smart, that’s probably the secret. trying to keep away from the trouble and If I am, just get it back out.”
“It requires a bit of imagination out here too.”
“I had my first look at the course the other day and thought you had to play smart, you can run lot of shots up around here because the greens are so small.”
Morgan couldn’t recall how many times, if ever she had run up a lead as large as today’s margin, or against a field of this quality. She admitted though she wouldn’t be taking it for granted, and between now and tomorrow’s final round had a more pressing matters to take care of.
“We played once at Newcastle stroke play. I was leader then but I don’t know by how many.”
“As for the lead, I won’t be thinking too much about it tonight. I’ll be going home and finish off the nice roast lamb I’m cooking for a few friends.”
“It will be a big day tomorrow, and as they say, it’s not over until the fat lady sings.”
3.40pm: Toyne bounces back with solid 70
Queensland’s Steve Toyne has carded the low round of the afternoon at Shoalhaven Heads, a one-under-par 70, to vault into a tie for third place late on the second day of the NSW Senior Amateur Championship.
Toyne started his day well with a birdie on the first, before back-to-back bogies on the 5th and 6th threatened to hamper his run. A pair of timely birdies on the 10th and 11th however, saw the 2017 Australian Senior Matchplay Champion get into red figures, which he consolidated with seven straight pars to complete his round.
Liverpool’s Gary Wells is still in second place, two over for the day, and with four holes left to play.
1.30pm: Gorton by three after solid 68
Warren Gorton leads the NSW Senior Amateur by three shots after carding an even par 68 in testing conditions at Nowra Golf Club.
Gorton struggled early, with a pair of bogies on the 4th and 5th holes, but found form on the back nine, adding birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th to get into red figures for the day.
An untimely bogey on the last took some wind out of his sails, however, the Hawks Nest golfer was still happy to sign for a 68.
Pacific Dunes’ Peter Beard and Mudgee’s John Osborn both carded a 70, while Pymble’s Neil Joseph returned a three over 71.
At Shoalhaven heads, Killara’s Andrew Lamble carded the low round of the morning, a one over par 72. Shane Floyd from Cromer shot a two over 73, while Geoff Cranfield of Long Reef posted a three over 74.
The afternoon players are midway through their round at SHoalhaven Heads, while at Nowra the Women have begun their second round.
10.00am: Alan running Wilder early at the Heads
Bermagui’s Alan Wilder is maintaining pace with the leaders as the second round unfolds at Shoalhaven Heads Golf Club.
Wilder carded a one-over front nine (the course back nine) with two birdies and three bogies to be only two over for the tournament.
Overnight leader Ian Asbury has hit trouble early in his round at Nowra Golf Club, dropping three shots in his opening five holes. The Shoalhaven local has now dropped back into a tie for fourth.
7.20am: Senior Amateur: Rd Two underway
A perfect morning for golf has greeted players for the second round of there NSW Senior Amateur Championships at Shoalhaven Heads and Nowra Golf Clubs.
The mercury is tipped to touch 20 degrees Celsius, however the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a strong wind warning, so things could become interesting for competitors as the day progresses.
Leaders in the Men’s Championship, Ian Asbury and Warren Gorton are off early this morning at Nowra Golf Club, while the women’s leader, Monash Country Club’s Jacqui Morgan, will also take on the challenge at Nowra Golf Club. Morgan will get her round underway at 12.12pm this afternoon.