An all-star line-up of 168 players assembled today at the prestigious Yarra Yarra Golf Club in the chase for the 2017 Victorian Boys and Girls Championship titles. All Australian States and Territories as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and New Zealand were represented in what is the strongest field that has ever graced the fairways in the championships.
Jye Pickin is leading the charge in the boys section after carding a solid two under-par 70 this afternoon. Hailing from Avondale, the New South Welshman recorded an outward nine of one-under par 35 before duplicating this on the back nine for his two under tally. His round comprising of 5 birdies, 3 bogeys and 10 pars was sufficient enough to give him a one-shot buffer.
Harrison Crowe, Josh Herrero and Connor McKinney all fired rounds of one under-par 71 to sit one shot adrift of the leader. Both Josh Herrero and Connor McKinney got to four under-par during their round but late bogeys marred what were otherwise great rounds.
Thailander sensation Phannarai Meesom-us is poised at the top of the leaderboard after signing for a level par 72 in the gusty conditions. A blistering start of 5 birdies and one bogey saw the 13-year-old reach four-under at the halfway mark. A triple bogey on the par 3 3rd hole halted her run but then reconciled with a birdie on the next hole. Bogeys at 5, 6 and 8 before a birdie on her final hole meant she will tee it up tomorrow with a two-shot lead over last year’s runner-up Kathryn Norris and three shots over local Yarra Yarra member Shanaiah Fernando.
Many players will be looking to capitalise tomorrow with a forecast for clear skies and light winds before gusty conditions on Wednesday.