Four share lead at Keperra Bowl

BY Anthony Powter | Queensland Mens Tour | 2009 Keperra Bowl | Round Two | 13 May 2009

Four players share the lead following the second round of the Keperra Bowl being played at Keperra Country Golf Club in Brisbane.

Brendan Smith, Matt Jager and Alex Hawley eroded Daniel Nisbet’s overnight one stroke lead, to be at 9-under-par, a stroke ahead of Jason Scrivener and Michael Williams who are in tied 5th position.

Smith, who finished runner-up to Scott Arnold at this year’s Lake Macquarie Amateur, fired rounds of 68-67, to again be in the hunt for a National Trial event title.

“It’s great to be again in the mix,” said Smith this evening.

“I’ve been playing well in representative matches, but a little below my expectations with National Trials. I’m striking the ball well and this is a course where there is a low number to be had.”

Matt Jager agrees with Smith’s assessment of the Keperra layout.

“All the par 5’s on the opening nine are birdie opportunities,” said the New Zealand Amateur Champion, with rounds of 65-70.

“I just need to get my putter running hot and have a few drop. My swing is as good as it was in New Zealand, so we will just see how the remaining two rounds unfold.”

Despite sharing the lead with three others, Nisbet remains confident with his game and is savouring the challenge of playing for another title with a packed leaderboard.

“It makes for an interesting tournament,” says Nisbet, 18.

“Anyone within five of the lead can make their move here at Keperra. I’m pleased to be again sharing the lead after two rounds at a National Trial event and know I have to score a low number in the remaining rounds to have any chance to win.”

Nisbet won the South Australian Amateur Classic last month wire to wire, before going onto win the Queensland Men’s Amateur Stroke and Queensland Men’s Amateur Championship last week.

Despite entering this week as one of the favourites, Nisbet remains modest about his chances of achieving four wins from as many starts.

“This is a course where someone can bolt in at the last moment and win,” he says.

“It’s happened before and you just don’t think about it, but focus on posting the lowest round that you can.”

I said earlier in the week to keep a close eye on Michael Williams from St Michael’s in Sydney. With rounds of 69-67, Williams is with Jason Scrivener and both are within a single stroke of the leaders and capable of claiming this tournament.

Williams has featured strongly this season in the Sydney Major Pennants and can drive the ball extremely well. This will give him an advantage on the short par 5’s at Keperra to attack the greens.

The cut came in a 1-over with the top-70 and ties making the final 36-holes.