Blake Windred has carded a one-under-par 71 to go with his opening round 66 to sit just one shot back at the European Amateur Championship in Vienna, Austria.
England’s Harry Hall leads the event at the halfway mark from Windred, The Netherlands Jerry Ji, and another Englishman, Joseph Long.
Despite the heat wave conditions and the tougher afternoon half of the draw, Windred stayed cool and pieced together a methodical round which included15 pars and two birdies on the Diamond Country Club course.
His first and only bogey for the week came on the par four 8th, in an otherwise almost faultless performance.
“I made some good par saves today,” Windred said post round. ” I just want to keep rolling in those putts.”
Familiar Territory
The Novocastrian, who lead this tournament through the halfway point last year said the key to victory was simply lower scores.
“I’ve just got to go out and make birdies, that’s the secret.”
Western Australian Josh Greer is also rolling along nicely, tied for 10th after carding an even-par 72. He is four behind at three under par.
For the other Aussies, day two was a struggle. South Australia’s Jack Thomspon is tied 48th at one over, while Chris Crabtree is tied 70th another two shots back.
Nathan Barbieri carded a disappointing 79 to drop out of contention, while Jordie Garner and Josh Armstrong could only manage a 75 and 77 respectively.
Jed Morgan bounced back from an otherwise forgettable first round 79 to match Windred’s one under par round. He still has some work to do, sitting in a tie for 96th place.
Conditions should be milder for the third round, with play getting underway at 4pm AEST.
The winner of the 2019 European Amateur will secure a place in the next month’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
