Steve Bowditch extends Queensland Open lead

BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2004 Queensland Open | Round Two | 05 Nov 2004

A clinical round of six-under 66 in wet and windy conditions has propelled Steve Bowditch into a three-shot lead ahead of tomorrow’s third round of the Queensland Open at Ipswich Golf Club.

With rivals Brad MacIntosh, defending champion Scott Hend and amateur star Jason Day making the most of brilliant morning conditions, overnight leader Bowditch was three shots off the lead when he started his round.

The Noosa 21-year-old responded under pressure, with his only scorecard blemish in a round that included seven birdies being a bogey on the 14th when he put his drive in the water. Today’s effort, combined with his brilliant 64 yesterday left Bowditch at 14-under.

In second place is New South Welshman MacIntosh, whose 64 yesterday has him two strokes ahead of playing partners Hend and Day, both at nine under.

Hend overcame a back injury to shoot 68, while 16-year-old world junior champion Day made light of foot problems to produce a brilliant round of seven-under 65.

Bowditch said he might need to double his current score to be crowned Open champion on Sunday.

“Guys like MacIntosh, they can go low. I might need 28 or 29 (under),” he said. “(But) you never know out there. If the weather keeps up I might only have to shoot a couple of 71s to do it.”

Hend said if he could be 20-under on Sunday afternoon, it would be enough to win.

“I reckon you’re going to need at least 17 or 18 under,” said the 31-year-old, who won last year’s Open with a four-round total of 13-under, 271.

Indooroopilly amateur Adam Blyth and Sydneysider Richard Ball are at eight-under after two rounds, with a host of players, including Peter Senior and Ryan Haller one shot further back.

Even-par 144 made the cut, with 62 professionals and 10 amateurs surviving. Former Australian Davis Cup tennis representative Scott Draper missed the cut after posting rounds of 76 and 70.

Queenslander Creigh Vincent was penalised two strokes after arriving late on the first tee following car problems.

Tomorrow’s first group tees off at 7.18am, with the final group of Bowditch, MacIntosh and Day starting at 10.45am.

Source – QGU