ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth defending champion Brett Rumford and former world No.1 Lee Westwood are locked at the top of the leaderboard after the second round at Lake Karrinyup Country Club today.
A strong wind blew throughout the round making scoring difficult, particularly for the afternoon field.
But Rumford remained calm throughout his round to shoot even par and stay at eight under. He later said the conditions meant a patient game was required in contrast to his round of 64 yesterday.
“It was just rough from word go, it just hit you on the first tee, it was just bang, straight in your face, just a completely different aesthetic,” the West Australian said.
“Every single hole looked different to yesterday, the way it played, your landing areas, everything. So it was a day just purely for concentration and just knocking them down. You couldn't really go out and chase it today.
“I'm happy to have signed for 72, happy to be tied for the lead and obviously happy that I'm in that top eight. Come what may tomorrow, number one would be nice, a little bonus there, but otherwise a top eight is what I'm focused on.”
Westwood had a chance to lead late, but a short putt lipped out on the 18th which left with a 70 today to join Rumford at eight under.
“Not easy out there, I haven't played it a lot and I know the wind can really pick up in Perth, but you don't expect it to blow quite as strong as it's blown today and it was tricky out there. You really have to have your wits about you,” Westwood said.
The Englishman said Sunday’s match play shootout was wide open to anyone in the top 24.
“I don't look at it (the top eight), no, I’m just trying to shoot as low as possible. I know if I carry on playing like I'm playing and a few putts start to go in, because I didn't really hole any putts today, I'll be thereabouts on the leaderboard.
“To be perfectly honest, match play is anybody's. You're going to need a lot of luck to win it.”
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat also finished his round with a 70, a bogey on the 18th costing him a share in the lead as he sits seven under.
Playing in the final group of the day, Scotsman Grant Forrest was able to make an impressive par to finish a 68 and join him the Thai at seven under.
Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen and Victorian Lucas Herbert climbed to seven under early in the second round.
Olesen, beginning from the 10th tee, turned his form around following a frustrating opening round to shoot 67, while Herbert shot a round of 69 to join the throng one from the lead.
The cut was made at even par with 79 professionals and one amateur making tomorrow’s third round.