Scott and Micheluzzi share Australian Open lead
David Micheluzzi – photo Australian Golf Media
Two late bogeys by first round leader David Micheluzzi in today’s second round of the Australian Open at The Victoria and Kingston Heath Golf Clubs has dropped him back into a share of the lead with non-other than Adam Scott whose second round of 63 at the Victoria Golf Club swept him to the edge of the lead before Micheluzzi’s late hiccups.
Scott’s monster eagle putt at the last took him to 8 under par just before Micheluzzi holed a birdie out of his own over at Kingston Heath to move two ahead but the young Victorian would drop shots at the 16th and 18th to take a share of the lead into the weekend.
The championship now focuses on The Victoria Golf Club after the opening two rounds were played at both courses.
The leading pair is tied at 8 under par and three ahead of American Gunner Wiebe, New Zealand’s Josh Geary and Australian Haydn Barron with a host of further rather unfamiliar names following.
Scott talked after his round about the very strategic approach he adopted around the Victoria Golf Club layout.
“I kind of tempered my expectations on everything, my own ability today and what I can do to the golf course. I really felt like I had to come out here, really not take any chances, not push anything. If it was tricky at all, to play safe. I executed most of the day, so even when I laid back, I managed to put it in a good spot still and take the trouble out and not make any errors.”
Scott also discussed the frustration of yesterday verses the elation of a day out today.
“It’s not the first time I’ve played terrible obviously (yesterday) but it is frustrating because I’m out playing in a tournament, the Australian Open and I want to play well. Yes, it’s frustrating but using the experience, I’ve had plenty of bad rounds in my career and had to come out the next day.
“I also pride myself on kind of not throwing in the towel. I don’t rack up big numbers too often and I also don’t withdraw playing bad, so I’m here to win the tournament this week and it can turn around quick. I have that experience as well and it did today.”
Michezluzzi led the Australian Open at the halfway mark four years ago before finishing 5th and so this experience is not entirely new to him but was asked after his round if he was ready for what promises to be a big occasion tomorrow.
“Yes. Maybe. Maybe not, I don’t know. I’m just going to go out and play some golf. If it’s good enough it’s good enough, if not, won’t stress.
“I know I’m playing good golf going into next year or going into the next couple of events after this. I’ll just keep plugging away at it and if it happens it happens. If not, then so be it, go on to the next one.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s one of the things I’ve dreamed of. Australian Open with Scotty, yeah, yeah, it will be insane. The amount of people that will be there and all that will be pretty cool. I’m just looking forward to it.”
Cameron Smith just made the cut after being in 77th position when he finished his morning round he advanced as a result of the increasing winds throughout the afternoon to finish the opening two rounds in 59th place and ten shots from the leading pair.
