Barbieri and Hall lead respective Vic Opens
Nathan Barbieri – in action today – image PGA of Australia
New South Wales golfer, Nathan Barbieri, has the halfway lead in the men’s division of the Vic Open at 13th Beach on the Bellarine Peninsula, his best of the day by four shots round of 65, moving him four clear of first round leader Canberra’s Brendan Jones, with another shot back to Victorian Cameron Jones and Queenslander Jack Munro.
Barbieri is chasing his first win on the PGA Tour of Australasia, although he has been runner-up or third on several occasions. His faultless round of 65, which was three strokes better than any other player on day two at 13th Beach, was a notable achievement.
Jones, who led after his opening round of 66 over the Creek Course, battled for much of the day until a final hole eagle saw him move back into contention despite being four off Barberi’s lead.
Jones has won on the PGA Tour of Australasia when he was successful at the 2023 New Zealand Open and did finish runner-up at the 2012 Australian Open and was several times inside the top ten in other lesser events but he is a prolific winner on the Japan Tour Open and after a season on the PGA Tour Champions he has started his PGA Tour of Australasian campaign well.
Barbieri has stolen a march on the field with a massive 15 shots between the leader and those who just made the cut on the number at 5 over, but getting across the line over the weekend will be a big task for the 28-year-old former leading amateur.
The Women’s Vic Open is being led by Welsh golfer, Lydia Hall, who, despite a second round of 75, was able to lead into round three.
38-year-old Hall has won events on the Ladies European Tour, but with just two top tens on the Ladies European Tour last season, this represents a significant turnaround for the lady from Bridgend in Wales.
Hall leads by one over Japan’s Aina Morohashi and NSW’s Kelsey Bennett.
Lydia Hall – leads the ladies’ field after a stunning second round
