Australasians challenge at Cox classic
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2011 Cox Classic | Day Two | 06 Aug 2011
Australasians are well positioned at the halfway mark of the Nationwide Tour’s Cox Classic in Omaha in Nebraska, Queenslander Adam Blyth and former winner Mathew Goggin just one behind the 36 hole leaders, Russell Knox and Ken Duke.
Three weeks ago Nationwide Tour rookie, Knox, won the Chiquita Classic and is virtually assured of PGA Tour status in 2012 but he will be keen to put any doubt to rest with another win this week.
42 year old Duke is struggling on the Nationwide Tour this season and is currently in 91st position on the 2011 money list.
Adam Blyth is in his rookie season on the Nationwide Tour this year but has yet to play to the level he is capable of. He has made only three of 12 cuts this season but did put together a good second round at last week’s event in Utah and has clearly discovered something.
Blyth has played most of his professional career in Asia and Europe with some success in Asia in particular. The 29 year old has accumulated Asian Tour earnings of more than US$800,000 in his six seasons there.
Goggin is seeking his third win on the Nationwide Tour this season and with it an immediate ticket to the PGA Tour. He won this event in 1999 and after a slow start to today’s second round he rushed home in 30 to get within one of the lead. He looks very well placed to go on with it this weekend.
South Australian Adam Bland and New Zealand’s Danny Lee are two shots from the lead with Lee continuing his push for PGA Tour playing rights. The 2008 US Amateur Champion now appears settled on his pursuit of that goal after several events in Europe earlier this season.
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