Some cracking scores lit up the Australian Boys’ Amateur Championship today – but oddly not at the top of a crowded leaderboard.
Sydney’s Daniel Kolar peeled off a Kooyonga championship course record five-under-par 67 in today’s second round, but, like several around him to make their move, he was coming from a fair way back.
World No.16 amateur and defending champion Ryan Ruffels, of Victoria, shares the midway lead at two under with Christopher Jimenez, of Queensland, after both followed opening 70s with 72s.
First-round bolter Fred Lee, of Perth, fired a 73 to share third at one under with Jason Hong, who was one of a handful of players to push forward as the leaders stalled.
Hong’s 70 was bettered by fellow Sydneysider Blake Windred (69), who shares fifth with Melburnian Cameron John (69), Canberra’s Josh Armstrong (69) and Kiwi visitor Daniel Hillier (68).
But it was Kolar who stole the spotlight in Adelaide.
The 17-year-old from St Michaels actually made an eagle on his last hole of the first round to finish with a 79.
And using that momentum, he came out firing in the second round with birdies on the first, second, and fourth holes en route to seven birdies of an ultra-attacking round.
“It was pretty good. I didn’t play too badly (on Wednesday), but didn’t have much luck,” Kolar said.
“Today a couple of putts dropped and that’s the difference, I suppose.
“It was good to back in contention a little bit, but I’ll have to have another one of them tomorrow … I’m still a fair way back.”
Of the other pre-tournament fancies, Perth’s Min Woo Lee fired a 73 to sit at three over alongside Brisbane’s Douglas Klein (74).
The field was cut to 63 at 12 over par or betrer, with the final 36 holes to be played in a Friday marathon.