Peter Senior will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open after posting an even-par 72 in tricky conditions at Thurgoona Country Club today.
With a strong south-westerly making life tough as the afternoon wore on, Senior grafted his way around the testing layout in conditions far removed from those he faced in his record-setting opening round of 61.
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“I didn’t play very well today,” Senior said. “I let a few easy ones slip around the front.”
After getting off to a slow start, turning in even par, Senior battled through the back nine. An uncharacteristic bogey on the reachable par five 11th hole brought him back to the chasing pack.
“The back nine was difficult; it got really, really windy.
“It was hard to pick clubs, and the greens were a lot firmer.
“It is difficult to work out how far they were going to bounce.”
With opportunities slipping by and putts going close but not in, Senior finally got one back on 17th to regain some momentum.
“It really helped me out,” Senior said of the 35-foot birdie putt.
Chasing Senior is a leaderboard full of players all capable of making up the four-shot deficit. Kiwi Long, who carded a 67 sits in second place at seven under, while Mike Harwood is another shot away in third. Peter Lonard, Glenn Joyner and Richard Blackwell are seven back at four under, but not without a chance if things go their way.
Regardless of the names on the leaderboard, Senior is happy with the lead and confident he will get the job done tomorrow.
“I’m happy where I am the guys have got to chase me, and I will put in a good shot tomorrow,” he smiled.
