McNaughton chasing Masters debut

Australasian PGA Tour | 2010 Western Australian PGA Championship | Round Two | 05 Nov 2010

It’s funny what a week can do in this game. Last week Tony McNaughton walked off the course in disgust after missing the cut at the WA Open having shot 10-over for the first two rounds. Today, the Victorian joined Brad Kennedy and overnight leader Luke Hickmott in a share of the lead at the WA PGA championship at Bunbury Golf Club at eight-under having signed for a 65; seven-under the card.

Despite shooting a bogey on the par three 1st, McNaughton immediately fought back to resurrect his round with four consecutive birdies.

Making the turn at four-under for the tournament, he suffered another bogey on the 11th before closing with another four birdies.

With a relatively young four years, experience in professional ranks, McNaughton has just a few pro-am victories to his name and said he did not have any expectations after last week’s disaster.

“I putted very well today and last week was the exact opposite,” the 28-year-old said.

“The Bunbury greens are similar to where I play most of my golf in Victoria – I like the quicker greens.”

For McNaughton the opportunity that now presents itself is what dreams are made of as the winner of this week’s event will be given a start in next week’s JBWere Masters alongside the likes of Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas and Sergio Garcia.

“Winning would be fantastic and will mean I don’t have to pre-qualify on Monday,” he said.

“I’ve never had a start in any of the big Australian tournaments – so this is really big for me.”

The 2010 WA Open champion, Brad Kennedy’s round was nearly just as eventful. His round of three under included seven birdies putting him in a share of the lead but with four bogeys he saw many opportunities go missing.

“I didn’t expect to be at the top having hit the ball fairly poorly,” Kennedy said.

“You always hope everything comes together at the right time which it did last weekend winning my first tournament in 13 years.”

Hickmott on the other hand produced a relatively controlled performance.

With an eagle on the par-five 2nd, the 29-year-old Victorian continued his first round momentum also carding two birdies and a bogey.

The trio at the top are followed by five players at seven-under in T4. They include Matt Griffin, first round co-leader Stephen Dartnall, Steven Jones, Michael Foster and Darren Tan.

Source – PGA Australia