Cameron Percy poised for breakthrough
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Melwood Prince Georges County Open | Round Two | 07 Jun 2009
Victorian Cameron Percy leads after 36 holes of the Nationwide Tour’s Melwood Prince George’s County Open in Maryland, the tournament’s schedule falling victim to a rain deluge on day two.
Percy looked set to blow the tournament apart when after an opening round of 64 he raced through the turn in 32 in round two but the momentum slowed with an inward nine of 36 for a round of 68 and a two round total of 12 under. He has, however, established a two shot lead over American Tom Scherrer with Sweden’s Oskar Bergman one shot further back.
South Australian Nationwide Tour rookie, Adam Bland, is within striking distance at 8 under while two time winner in 2009, Michael Sim, and Moonah Classic winner, Alistair Presnell, are at 7 under and five behind the lead.
Percy is one of the longer hitters on the Nationwide Tour and has already recorded three top tens in 2009 including when runner up to Michael Sim at the Stonebrae Classic. His putting has been Percy’s big improvement this season, the 34 year old now third in putting stats in 2009 a significant improvement from last year.
Percy had the luxury of not having to finish off his first round on Saturday morning after rain had forced so many players from the course on Thursday. His opening round of 64 which included a final nine of 30 was completed on Thursday.
Percy has won several Von Nida Tour events in Australia and a win this week and the accompanying US$121,500 would take him within perhaps US$10,000 of being assured of PGA Tour status in 2010. Percy has only played one PGA Tour event previously that being in 2003 at the Open Championship.
In order to win the event Percy will be forced to survive 36 holes tomorrow the rain delays forcing the need to play two rounds on Sunday.
Gavin Coles is in 17th position, David McKenzie 328th and Andrew Buckle 50th.
