Aussie Smith still strong at Porter Cup
BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Porter Cup | Round Two | 25 Jul 2009
Brendan Smith may not have finished his second round due to poor weather conditions at the Niagara Falls Country Club today but he still remains in contention at the Porter Cup.
Tournament play didn’t start until 11.30 am after crews tirelessly pulled water from bunkers and attended to the waterlogged greens in a desperate attempt to get play going.
When play eventually got underway Smith started with a disastrous double bogey on the 392 metre 10th, however, quickly made amends with a birdie on the next. A further two bogeys on 14 and 18 had Smith drop three strokes for his round, before play was suspended. Smith is currently at 3-under-par and four from the leaders with nine holes still to finish his second round.
Tim Mickelson remained tied for the lead at 7-under, but eight groups, including Smith and Daniel Beckmann who is currently 7th, didn’t finish the round. They will tee off at 7.30 am on Saturday in hope of finishing their rounds.
Mike Van Sickle fired the day’s low round with a 5-under-par 65 to be with Mickelson for the share of the lead.
Tarquin MacManus was one of the few Aussies to finish their second round, with the Arizona State college player firing rounds of 70-72 to be at 2-over and in a tie for 38th.
Matt Giles and Jason Scrivener are yet to complete their round and are currently at 3-over-par after nine. Luke Bleumink is in the same position at 4-over-par along with Jordan Sherratt.
Daniel Nisbet’s second round is off to a good start at 1-under after nine to be at 5-over for the tournament. Matt Jager and Ryan McCarthy are struggling, with McCarthy firing rounds of 73-74 to be in a tie for 73rd, whilst Jager is currently at 7-over-par for the tournament and half way through his second round.
Conditions remain frustrating for the players and tournament organisers. The persistent rain continues to flood the course, with caddies at one stage not permitted on the greens in an attempt to keep the course playable.
Tournament organisers were remarking this evening that if the rain continues for Saturday’s round, this year’s Porter Cup may be reduced to just 36 holes.
This Porter Cup had started well for Smith with his 6-under 64 on the opening day. Like many he is feeling the effects of the interrupted play. The Aussie remains in the hunt and provided he stays patient, he knows this will be a good tournament for him.
