Michael Long is ‘Living the Dream’ at Richmond Golf Club after carding an incredible five under par 65 in round two of the Australian Seniors PGA Championship.
On a testing afternoon with temperatures peaking in the high 30’s and the northwesterly wind playing havoc with yardages, Long was sublime, crafting six birdies to take command of the tournament. A bogey on the last was the only blemish on what was an otherwise perfect day for the Western Australian based kiwi.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Scores: Australian PGA Seniors Championship
Round one wrap: Harwood leads by two
Listen: Peter Senior talks about his Second Round 66 and long term career with 2SM Talking Sport
Recap: Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open – Long too strong
Photo Gallery: Rd2 Australian Seniors PGA
“It was tough out there,” Long said. “It wasn’t super hot, it only got to 37, but the wind got up in the afternoon and made it tough. You had to hold your nerve.”
“I’m pretty happy with the score though.
Long will take an open-minded approach into tomorrow’s round. He knows there is plenty of talent close enough behind him to make a move, and after winning last week knowing what is required. Chasing him will be some of the great names of Australian golf.
“I always think, just tee it up on the first and see where it goes from there. We are all competitive. Peter Senior, Peter Lonard, David McKenzie.
“You have got to go out and take care of your game, so we’ll just wait and see.”
Although a second straight title after winning last week’s Lincoln Place NSW Senior Open at Thurgoona would be a real thrill for Long, he is mindful of what it means in pursuit of his personal goal – qualifying for the 2019 Champions tour.
“Yes, there’s the bigger picture end of the day. I really would love a crack at the top level, and I will keep on having a go. I’m going to enjoy it no matter what happens.
“There’s not many sports like golf where you can reach the age of 50 and go and do it all over again.
“It feels fantastic, It’s almost like I’m living the dream,” he smiled.
<image="2" align="left" />
Pete beats the heat to lead SNR PGA by two
Peter Senior has beaten the heat to take the lead mid way through round two of the Australian Seniors PGA Championship at Richmond Golf Club.
In stifling conditions, the 59-year-old has carded the round of the morning, a four-under-par 66 two lead by two with around half the field already in back in the clubhouse.
Senior began his day spectacularly, rifling his approach into the base of the flagstick on the first hole for an opening birdie. Senior then added another four more on the front nine to get to ten under par for the tournament.
An unfortunate bogey on the 10th halted his march, and with a northwesterly wind making life uncomfortable for the field, Senior had to grind hard to keep his his nose in front. A birdie on the 16th got him back to ten under, and a lead of three shots, which he consolidated with a scrambling par from the trees on 17.
Ten under would have been the number to chase, but uncharacteristically for the Queenslander, a pulled approach on the 18th finished in the left-hand side trap, and the resulting bogey saw the lead drop back to two.
Despite the final hole snafu, Senior was happy with his day’s work.
“I played pretty good at the start, and the back nine was always going to be difficult in the wind,” Senior said.
“I’m pretty disappointed with the finish, the bogey on the last, it was just bad thinking.”
Senior said with the greens drying out and the wind increasing, conditions were going to be tough for the afternoon players. He knows he’ll be right up in the mix heading into tomorrow’s final round.
“The wind dropped a bit in the middle of my round, and now it's up again,” Senior said immediately after signing his card.
“The greens are drying out, and it’s hard to hit it close to hole out there.”??“I’ll be in the mix no matter what the other guys do for the rest of the afternoon. I won’t be too far away.”
Of the other morning competitors, David McKenzie, David Diaz and Tod Power all shot matching 67’s, Mckenzie moved up to fourth, while Power and Diaz moved to 7th and 11th respectively. Peter Lonard carded an even-par 70 to remain in 7th place.
Golf – The billion dollar engine:
Golf has a $1.2 billion impact on the economy of New South Wales annually.
To find out more about the benefits of the sport across the State and in the ACT, please visit:
GOLF IN NSW: Community Impact Study
GOLF IN THE ACT: Community Impact Study