West Australian Michael Sim has sent a not-so-subtle reminder of his prodigious talent as he heads into the weekend here at Concord with a two-shot lead and a serious crack at yet another Open title on Australian shores.
Today he marched up the leaderboard with his typically classic golf, eight birdies, and bogey-free for what he thinks might be the first time in his career after 36 holes.
“I had it going early, five-under through eight. I was saying to the boys after the practice round that I like the golf course. I like playing tree-lined golf. It’s just been two great days, without a bogey. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before,” he said.
If Sim adds the Golf Challenge NSW Open to his Qld PGA (2020) and WA Open (2019), it will have been more than eight years since a New South Welshman last lifted the Kel Nagle Cup. The last to do so was Aron Price who triumphed in 2013.
The challenge is coming from Sydneysider Dale Williamson who went one better than his opening round with a 65 to be in sole second at -11, whilst Picton’s Justin Warren and TPS Bonnie Doon winner Andrew Martin are both a shot back at -10.
Earlier, Nathan Barbieri (-9), amateur Harrison Crowe (-8), Blake Windred (-7), and another amateur Harry Bolton (-7) all took advantage of the kind morning conditions to cement their spots for the weekend.
The round of the morning belonged to another Sydneysider in Harry Bolton, who scorched around the par-70 layout in a seven-under masterclass that only had the one flaw – a lone bogey on the super-tough par-3 16.
Further back is amateur Harrison Crowe who shot a five-under round to accompany his opening 68, and another who made some long putts on these tricky Concord greens, to be in a great position for the weekend.
Other notable scores came from South Australian Jack Thompson who followed up his opening 66 with a three-under round today of 68 to be at -8.
Leaderboard
-13 Michael Sim
-11 Dale S Williamson
-10 Justin Warren
-10 Andrew Martin
-9 Nathan Barbieri
-9 Bryden Macpherson
-9 Tim Hart
-8 Harrison Crowe (a)
-8 Jack Thompson
-8 Travis Smyth
-8 Andrew Dodt
-8 Ben Eccles
