Terry Pilkadaris may be only two sleeps away from taking out his maiden title on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
The 40-year-old now stands as the overall Men’s leader after Day 2 at the 2014 Oates Victorian Open and admits a month’s rest has helped launched him into position.
“At the end of last year I felt out of steam because I played so much golf. In fact, I played twenty-six out of twenty-seven weeks after April, and it was chaos” Pilkadaris reflected.
“I still have the hunger you just need to plan your schedule, originally we were four (weeks) on two off but then at the end of the year it all filled up and then there was nothing left in the tank”.
“Afterwards, I didn’t touch the clubs for a month and I went to help my mate as a plumber. I became a tradie but after a few days I thought it would be good to chase that white ball around” smiled Pilkadaris.
Playing off on the Creek Course at the Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, the Western Australian admitted his preparation had been tampered by a severe thunderstorm two days earlier.
“I had only played the first eleven holes on Wednesday and then we were pulled off because of the storm so all I could do was take a look around at the remaining holes”.
“It was difficult today because I hadn’t had the feel for the spots so I certainly didn’t feel I’d be leading today and it was just disappointing with the three-putt on the 17th hole. Now, I just really have to dust up on the putting but apart from that today was good”.
Pilkadaris now leads the tournament four under-par ahead of Brett Drewitt (-3) while 2012 Champion Scott Arnold entered the top ten tied for 6th (-1).
Day 2 also saw the departures of marquee players Jarrod Lyle, Mark Allen (his first pro-tournament in eleven years), Paul Sheehan, Daniel Popovic and reigning 2013 Champion Matthew Giles.
Jason Norris (2010 Victorian Open Champion) would also slip out of the top fifty during some stages in the afternoon however he was able to display his trademark resilience, finishing with three pars to tie for 46th.
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By: Alex Tigani (Golf Victoria Contributor)