Collins leads by three over Scott at Masters
IN: News | Australasian PGA | MasterCard Masters (2002) | Round Two | 06 Dec 2002
Overnight leader Steve Collins from Western Australia has fired back-to-back rounds of 68 to take a three shot lead over Adam Scott following the second round of the $1.25 million Mastercard Masters at Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne.
Bad weather, including heavy rain and intermittent hail, interrupted play for a short time mid-morning to allow excess water to drain off the greens. Conditions improved in the afternoon although players still faced strong winds and occasional rain.
Despite starting slowly with bogeys at the first two holes, Collins moved to -8 following three successive birdies on the front nine plus another three coming at the 10th, 12th and 15th holes before bogeying the 17th.
Adam Scott sits in outright second place at -5 following a round of -3 (69) today. He suffered from inconsistency throughout the day with bogeys at three of the first five holes and an eagle at the 6th. He went on to birdie the 10th, 13th, 14th and 16th holes and closed the round just three strokes from Collins.
Gavin Coles proved his recent induction on to the 2003 USPGA Tour was no fluke and sits in outright third following a round of -3 (69) today. Last week's Australian PGA co-winner, Peter Lonard closed his round in equal 4th, a great result after an indifferent round. He carded four bogeys and four birdies and is well within contention at -2 alongside Scott Gardiner, who carded a -2 (70) today.
A group of four players sit another two strokes back, including Chris Downes, Kiwi Greg Turner, Mark Allen and New South Welshman, Steve Conran.
Stuart Appleby and eight-time major winner, Tom Watson had days they would rather forget with Appleby dropping four shots over his final two holes to close the day at 4. Watson sits at 6 following a 77 and should sneak through to play the weekend. Aaron Baddeley also sits at 6 after carding back-to-back rounds of 75.
