Date: November 01, 2008
Author:

Aussies in contention

Peter Lonard and Robert Allenby are well in contention after registering solid second round scores at the Ginn Sur Mer Classic in Florida on Friday (US time). Lonard carded a three-under-par 69 while compatriot Allenby shot one under to enjoy a share of second place with Americans Ken Duke and Michael Letzig. Nick O Hearn and Gavin Coles are three shots further back. Little-known American Ryan Palmer continued his strong form, shooting a one-under-par 71 in the second round on Friday to move to the top of the leaderboard on six-under 138. Palmer, who is seeking his second career PGA Tour victory, was in third place following an opening 67 and improved his position after notching two birdies and a lone bogey on the Conservatory Course at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort. The 32-year-old, who has missed the cut 10 times in 20 events this year, took advantage of the struggles of Thursday&aposs co-leaders to slide into the top spot. Kent Jones and Letzig led the event after carding seven-under 65s in the opening round but ran into trouble on Friday. Jones, who began on the back nine, got off to a clean start but stumbled miserably after the turn with four bogeys and a double-bogey on his final eight holes to finish with a five-over 77. Letzig also started on the back nine and began badly with two bogeys and a double bogey on his first three holes before settling down with birdies at his next two holes in a round of 74 that left him just one stroke behind Palmer on five under. Former world number one David Duval carded a three-under-69 to join John Huston (70) in a tie for sixth on four under. The second round was suspended due to darkness for the second straight day, leaving five players to complete their rounds on Saturday. Second Round of The Ginn Sun Mer Classic (Par 72) Play stopped due to bad light -6: Ryan Palmer 67 71 -5: Peter Lonard (Australia), Ken Duke 70 69, Robert Allenby (Australia) 68 71, Michael Letzig 65 74 -4: David Duval 71 69, John Huston 70 70 -3: Bob Tway 70 71, Chris Stroud 69, 72, Nicholas Thompson 71 70, Steve Lowery 70 71, Cameron Beckman 68 73 -2: Michael Allen 71 71, Kent Jones 65 77, Bob Estes 75 67, George McNeill 71 71, Brian Gay 72 70, Nick O Hern (Australia) 69 73, Chip Deason 71 71, Carl Pettersson 72 70, Marco Dawson 71 71, Gavin Coles (Australia) 71 71, Martin Laird 72 (after 17 holes), Kenneth Ferrie 70 (17) Also: E: Matt Jones (Australia) 70 74, Brett Rumford (Australia) 72 72 +1: Michael Sim (Australia) 72 73 +2: Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) 74 72, David Lutterus (Australia) 74 72 +3: Andrew Buckle (Australia) 72 75, Grant Waite (New Zealand) 73 74 +5: Nick Flanagan (Australia) 73 76 +6: Nathan Green (Australia) 81 69, Mark Hensby (Australia) 78 72 +9: Jason Day (Australia) 77 76 +13: Steve Allan (Australia) 75 82