Laycock moves in to early contention
IN: News | Von Nida | Victorian Open (2006) | Round Two | 04 Feb 2006
Victorian professional Scott Laycock has surged to the lead midway through the second round of the 2006 Vic Open at the Woodlands Golf Club today.
Taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions for the second successive day, the 2001 Victorian Open Champion equalled the course record with a superb seven-under 65 to move to 10-under for the Championship.
Of the players in the clubhouse, Laycock holds a two-stroke lead from a group of three players on eight-under including Victorian professional Euan Walters, rookie ACT professional Andrew McKenzie and consistent Queensland professional Marcus Cain.
Walters, looking to bounce back to the form that saw him hold a US PGA Tour card last year, fired an immaculate 65, McKenzie had a 69 while Cain returned a second successive four-under 68 to all sit on a two-round total of 136.
After overcoming injury and becoming fitter thanks to a routine of riding and running, Laycock is well positioned to challenge for a second Victorian Open title. Capitalising on great ball striking, the 35-year-old returned seven birdies and no bogeys in his second round highlighted by a chip in birdie on the 409-metre ninth and "holing a bomb on the 13th".
"I got off to a great start with birdies on one, three and four and gave myself plenty of good chances," he commented at the conclusion of the round. "I missed a few other opportunities with the putter on the back nine as well".
Domiciled on the Japanese Tour and a winner of the 2002 Bridgestone Open, Laycock was pleased to be in contention indicating that "It's nice to be shooting scores well enough to win. Ideally I'd like to win a couple of times this year and to do that you've got to give yourself lots of chances."
Despite retaining his card in Japan in 2005 and playing well over the Australian summer, a luke warm short game meant that "I didn't get much for it". However free from a hand injury that effectively stopped him from playing in the last six months of 2004, the likeable Laycock looms as a key figure going into tomorrow's final round at the 54-hole event.
The afternoon field of 78 players are now all on course, including overnight leaders Aron Price and Gary Simpson. With ideal conditions still prevailing, further low scores are expected throughout the afternoon of the 47th Victorian Open.
Source - Golf Victoria
