Pitt, Bowditch share Victorian PGA lead
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2005 Victorian PGA Championship | Round Two | 03 Mar 2005
Young Victorian Andrew Pitt set the tone for a day of low scoring in the second round of the National Australia Bank Victorian PGA Championship by firing a course record 64 at Sanctuary Lakes Resort in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The 26-year-old reeled off a succession of eight impressive birdies and will be joined in the final group tomorrow by Steven Bowditch, the new irresistible force in Australian golf. A rampaging Bowditch covered the final nine holes in just 30 shots to sign for a 66 and join Pitt at the top of the leader board at eight under par.
“I had all the right yardages today and flagged quite a few shots, especially early on,” explained Pitt. “And I holed some clutch putts on the back nine and that really kept the round going.”
Pitt walked off the final green on Thursday complaining of a recalcitrant putter. But that all changed in round two, Pitt taking just 26 putts on the smooth Sanctuary Lakes greens.
Pitt completed a three-year traineeship at the ultra exclusive Capital Golf Club before embarking on a career as a tournament professional and he retains a close relationship with prestige golf facility developed by Melbourne businessman Lloyd Williams. When at home he uses the magnificent practice facilities to hone his game, often under the gaze of a passing parade of stars like Rex Hunt, Shane Warne, Stuart Appleby, Ernie Els and Greg Norman.
Pitt is not short of expert golf advice either, having been exposed to quality coaching from Steven Bann and Dale Lynch, the two coaches who established the successful VIS golf program in the early 90s.
Scoring in the second round of the Victorian PGA Championship improved dramatically thanks to benign weather conditions, favourable pin positions and a course presented in wonderful condition.
Many players broke 70, quite a contrast to day one when just three players recorded a score in the 60s.
Well in contention for the prestigious title was another Victorian Cameron Percy, who added a 68 to an opening 70 to be two back at six under par.
A group of four players registered a total of five under: Danny Vera (72, 67), Tony McFadyean (70, 69), Steven Jeffress (69, 70) and leading amateur Andrew Tampion (71, 68).
Seasoned campaigner Peter Senior also improved his overnight score, adding a two under 70 to an opening round of 73.
Source – PGA Australia
