Four way tie at Queensland PGA

BY PGA of Australia | Australasian PGA Tour | 2013 Queensland PGA Championship | Round Two | 16 Feb 2013

Professionals Jason Norris and Brad Kennedy are tied for the lead with amateurs Cameron Smith and Kevin Marques after the second round of the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship.

Norris led the Championship after the first round and maintains his position thanks to a 2-under 66 today.

Brad Kennedy, the highest ranked player in the field, shot a solid 6-under 62 to join the lead at 10-under the card at City Golf Club.

Queensland amateur Cameron Smith fired an impressive bogey free 8-under 60 while fellow amateur Kevin Marques, who Monday qualified for the tournament had a 4-under 64 to join the leading pack.

The quartet leads by just one stroke heading into the weekend rounds.

“It’s a good spot to be on the leaderboard – the field is obviously bunched a bit more, there were a lot of good scores today especially from the young blokes,” said Norris.

“They have shot some good numbers but it’s good to be heading into the weekend in this position.”

Amateurs have been experiencing a purple patch on the PGA Tour of Australasia with Oliver Goss claiming the WA Open Championship and Jake Higginbottom winning the New Zealand Open, where Norris finished runner-up.

“It’s always good for amateurs – they need to have somewhere to play. When I was an amateur I always enjoyed playing Tour events,” added Norris.
“I was pipped by one in New Zealand so they cost me an Open but it’s great to have those guys out here, they have to start somewhere.”

Smith, who started the day at 2-under the card and six shots back of Norris, took advantage of the early conditions.

“Today I just hit a few more fairways and the putts were dropping, the greens were in great condition – not as much traffic on them probably helped,” said Smith, who is renowned as an excellent putter.

“I think when my putting and inside a hundred is on then that’s when I play good, but it’s hard to say if that’s the key to my game.”

This is the third year Smith has teed it up at the Queensland PGA Championship and after a tied fourth finish in 2012 winning is very much on the 19-year-old’s mind.

“I think if you’re not here to win then you have to take a good hard look at yourself, you have to try and win every week to perform well,” said Smith who is enjoying the opportunity to compete on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

“It’s just a step up from the amateur stuff, more depth and the other players are better so it’s definitely beneficial to see where your game is at.”

Sitting a shot behind the leading pack on 9-under the card are Matthew Giles (NSW), David Bransdon (VIC) and amateur Jake McLeod (QLD).

The 36 hole cut was made at 2-under the card with 54 Professionals and four amateurs making it through to the weekend rounds.

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