Beck continues domination at QLD PGA
BY Bruce Young | Von Nida Tour | 2007 Queensland PGA | Round Three | 03 Nov 2007
Darren Beck continues to lead the Greater Building Society Queensland PGA Championship but his second round lead of three has been reduced to just one after the very much inform Queenslander, Andrew Bonhomme, produced a round of 63 to all but catch the tall New South Welshman. Not that Beck’s round of 66 was anything to sneeze at, but given the low scoring possible on the Emerald Lakes Golf Club others would make ground on him in the hot and breezy conditions of day three.
“I’m very happy with today,” said Beck. “I didn’t do too much wrong today, just a couple of drives left, but overall I am very happy with it, especially making a couple of nice par saves to finish, one from 12 feet at the 17th and then another from slightly longer at the last. I felt very comfortable out there as I was a little nervous in yesterday’s second round. I didn’t get in my own way and kept calm.”
“I’m excited about tomorrow. I think I’ve got another low one in me tomorrow, added Beck. “I left a couple of shots out there today so hopefully tomorrow they won’t get away.”
Beck’s previous best in a Von Nida Tour event was when 8th in Townsville a couple of years ago. Then he let a good lead disappear but as a far more experienced player now he has a great chance to win an event which will be significant in his developing career.
Another who has yet to win a Von Nida Tour event, but is considerably more experienced than the leader, is Bonhomme, who is playing close to the best he has played in his career. “Today I played a lot better than the first two days as although they were not exactly bad, today felt just so much better. I made a silly bogey at the 7th and another at the 16th where, if anything, I was brought undone by a drive that was too good. I was trying to hit a little fade and pulled it only slightly but I actually rifled it and got caught up in the trees. In the end however I did well to make bogey.”
Bonhomme credits his good form of late to having put all the pieces in place. “I think I have finally worked out how to get the best out of myself. I felt, when I was younger and growing up with the likes of Rod Pampling and John Senden and others, that I was as good as them and had as much talent and work ethic but just couldn’t get all the pieces together. It is a relief to now see that things are falling into place. I think I previously worried about money and travelling and family and all that sort of stuff but now I seem to have all of them in place. I’ve played really well all year so it has not just been a case of having a run but hopefully it is something more permanent.”
A decision by Bonhomme to travel to the US earlier this year to get some experience there prior to USPGA Tour School seems to have paid off. “I was in no position to stay on and spend US$1500 paying to play the mini tour events so I played just a couple and feel it has paid off. I’m really glad I did that as when I did get to Stage One I felt really comfortable. A win tomorrow, should it happen, will get me a start at the Australian Open and the Australian PGA plus it would provide me with even more confidence as I head to Stage Two so tomorrow is an important day.”
Victorian, Michael Curtain, was round in 64 to move into contention at 17 under and is just two back of the lead, while Julian Reynolds produced the round of the day, a 62, to finish at 16 under and is four behind. Reynolds, a 21-year-old trainee professional from the Windsor Golf Club in Sydney’s northwest, was planning on working in the pro shop this weekend after an opening round of 72 but with a 63 on Friday and 62 today there might be a better way to make a few dollars tomorrow. “I spoke to the boss on Thursday afternoon and suggested that I might be available to work but I guess things have changed in that regard.”
There are seven players at 13 under and, given what is possible at the Emerald Lakes layout, they may not yet be out of it but they will need a round in the very low 60’s tomorrow, it would seem, to contend.
The leaders in tomorrow’s final round will tee off at 9.30am with play expected to finish at 1.45pm followed by the prize-giving.
