Five players share the lead after 36 holes of the Golf SA Amateur Classic at Royal Adelaide.
Both morning and afternoon fields encountered windy conditions, but one player who seemed unaffected, was Kyle Michel from Shepparton Golf Club in Victoria, posting a scintillating 7-under 65 the low round of the day.
Michel’s round was five better than any other player in the field and at 4-under gives him a share of the lead with New South Welshman Nathan Barbieri (70-70), Queensland pair Jediah Morgan (69-71), Connor Edmonds (69-71) and Western Australian Minwoo Lee (70-70).
Off at 8.24am off the 14th tee, Michel made six birdies and an eagle in a memorable round.
“I was really happy, I got off to a really good start, teeing off from the tough 14th and thru five holes I was 3-under and was able to just go on with it throughout the round”.
“I just put it all together today, I’ve been striking the ball really well lately, just the putts haven’t really been dropping, but I was just finding the hole today”.
“I just hope to continue on with today’s play, I know I can shoot a low score around here, so I will just try and continue on with that” Michel said.
Minwoo Lee made another five birdies in round two and posted his second straight round of 70.
“This round I didn’t capitalize on the first few holes when I had some birdie chances. I started on 14 today, but I have been playing much better on the back nine than last year, which is good, but not as good on the front nine.”
“I guess I got the harder draw with the wind being a bit more up in the morning yesterday and afternoon today, so I am pretty happy with 2-under scores, but hopefully I can play well tomorrow.”
“I played pretty scrappy the whole day as well as yesterday, so I grinded it out yesterday morning and made some birdies to end and also today, I ended with a few birdies, so I’m pretty happy.”
Whilst happy with his overall score, Lee still has plenty in the tank for the final two rounds.
“I just didn’t think I played that good for these two days, so hopefully tomorrow I can make more birdies and less mistakes.”
Sitting in outright sixth at 3-under after rounds of (70-71) is Lawrence Curtis from Peninsula Golf Club while round one joint-leader Lawry Flynn from Brisbane GC posted a 3-over 75 and is tied ninth.
Best paced South Australian at 1-over is Grange member Colin Coleman tied 11th after rounds of (73-72).
With the cut at 154 (+10) after 36 holes, 62 players (13 South Australian’s) proceed to the final two rounds.
The men’s round 3 field kicks off at 8.15am on Wednesday 21 March, with the Men’s leading group Michel, Lee and Barbieri teeing off at 8.56am.