Allenby poised to strike at Huntingdale
IN: News | Australasian PGA | MasterCard Masters (2007) | Round Two | by Anthony Powter | 23 Nov 2007
Robert Allenby maintained his stranglehold on this year’s Australian Masters, after firing a second round four-under 68, to be at nine-under, a stroke ahead of the morning pace-setter Aaron Baddeley, who fired a second-round 66, in the more favourable conditions.
Allenby, the Masters champion in 2003 and 2005, got his round going after sinking a long eagle putt on the sixth, to move on Baddeley’s morning mark. He then followed the eagle with a birdie on eight and then took the lead with another on the tenth.
The only blemish to Allenby’s card came at the last where he dropped a shot after he failed to find the fairway with his drive. Despite holding the lead since Thursday, Allenby was critical about today’s round.
“Today, I didn’t really play that well,” remarked Allenby, currently ranked 50th in the world.
“Obviously the drive on the last did not help, but for some reason I felt lethargic out there.”
Rick Kulacz was feeling anything but lethargic during his second round, after he continued his good form since turning professional a few months ago with a 68, to join five other players at T3, including Ireland’s Rory MclLroy and Daniel Chopra, all at five-under, four strokes behind Allenby.
“I’ve been playing really well of late and now I’m starting to score,” said Kulacz, who’s made the cut in all three tournaments his played since turning professional last month.
“I’m just going to enjoy the experience this weekend and take the feeling in. This week here at Huntingdale has been a real booster and I looking forward to New Zealand and Asia Tour School in a few weeks.”
Rod Pampling, Kurt Barnes and Stuart Appleby are the next best in T8th at four-under, whilst former winner Peter Lonard is in at T12.
Lonard, like a lot of other afternoon players, struggled with managing the tight Huntingdale layout, which had to an extent been “tricked up”, with pin placements reflecting more a final day layout, being tucked short and close to bunkers on many holes.
Allenby and Baddeley will be paired together for tomorrow’s third round. It promises to be an interesting tussle, especially with how well Baddeley is currently playing and feeling about his game.
“I feel very comfortable,” remarked Baddeley, after his round this morning.
“I feel that I can shape the ball the way I need to around here. I’m thinking really well around the course and I’m very comfortable hitting certain shapes off the tee and hitting to a certain spot on the fairway. Overall, I feel really good about my golf swing at the moment.”
Baddeley will first have to overcome a determined Allenby.
“My goal is to get it to twenty-under and I think that will win the tournament, unless Aaron goes out there and does something silly,” said Allenby.
“The positive thing I can bring out of today is that I am still in front. It was not easy out there this afternoon. It was quite tricky. The greens were getting firmer and some of those pin placements are very hard to get to.”
Allenby will take a different strategy into tomorrow’s third round in a tournament that has the potential to turn into a two-man showdown between himself and Baddeley.
“I want to get away to a better start tomorrow than today and if can do that, I’ll open up a good gap on the field.”
Then again, anything can and usually does happen on “moving day” and this tournament is certainly shaping up to be another corker of a finish. With the young loins of MclLroy and Kulacz breathing down upon their more experienced colleagues the stage is set for some great exchanges over the weekend.
The problem for them is Allenby is poised and ready to strike for his third gold jacket.
