Sim takes control at Moonah
BY Anthony Powter | Australasian PGA Tour | 2009 Moonah Classic | Round Two | 27 Feb 2009
Michael Sim has fired a 5-under-par, 67, to take the lead during the morning session of the second round of the Moonah Classic, a stroke ahead of Terry Pilkadaris and American Josh Teater.
Sim started his round at 3-under-par and tied 6th and the former world number one amateur enjoyed a bogey free second round which included three birdies on the closing four holes.
“I probably know the course better than most of the field,” said Sim, who was a member of the AIS squad based at Moonah Links.
“You get to know the greens and where you can bail out. The course is a little shorter that what I’m used to, as they’ve moved some tees forward, but it’s still playing tough. I feel comfortable playing out there, a lot of the field here are still getting use to the different shots you have to play at Moonah, which is probably an advantage for me.”
Teater was equal with Sim at 8-under-par coming down Moonah’s 510 metre 18th, however, found his third approach well short of the green, which resulted in a closing bogey.
The American is playing his rookie year on the Nationwide Tour, having obtained playing privileges by being the 24th Nationwide Tour qualifier at the 2008 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament. Previously, Teater had played on the Hooters and Tarheel Tours since turning professional in 2002. Teater’s best Nationwide Tour finish is a tied 54th at the 2003 Dayton Open.
Overnight leaders Hunter Hass and Peter O’Malley have afternoon tee times and are currently at 5-under-par having both picked up a shot on their opening four holes. American Daniel Summerhays, who shared the overnight lead with Hass and O’Malley, has finished at 6-under-par, to be two behind Sim.
Andrew Bonhomme dropped a shot on his opening hole, to be currently at 3-under-par after five holes.
