Perske joins Porter in Moonah lead
BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2008 Moonah Classic | Round Two | 22 Feb 2008
Sydney’s Ewan Porter has been joined at the top of the leaderboard by Queenslander Wayne Perske after both players finished in the clubhouse on 6 under half way through Round 2 of the Moonah Classic at Moonah Links today.
Perske who started on 1 under, four shots behind overnight leader Porter, fired the round of the day so far, shooting 5 under to move up beside Porter who was 1 under for the round.
33 year old Perske from Wynnum finished his round with four birdies on the back nine and said he didn’t make too many mistakes despite the windy conditions.
“It was pretty wild out there at stages,” said the Japan Tour regular. “I’m pretty happy with that score. I could have actually had a few better too which makes me feel good for the weekend.”
Growing up in Queensland, Perske said he felt confident with his ball striking despite the wild conditions and regular events at home had helped him develop his skills.
“It blows every afternoon so you get used to being able to manipulate your ball flight, said the father of two. It’s probably one of the best parts of my game being able to hit shots in the wind.”
A member of the Australasian Tour since 2000, Perske said keeping the putts in line was difficult when the winds picked up about half way through his round.
“I was trying to keep myself steady at some stages. Yesterday on the 10th I had 100 yards to the pin and today I had full blooded three wood just got onto the front. I’ve never seen anything like it! Never seen a change like that in two rounds in my life.”
Depending on results at the event Perske may be left with the decision of whether he will continue his golf in Japan or if he will take on the Nationwide Tour for the remainder of the year. Winning the event, which has one of the biggest prize purses on the Nationwide Tour this year would give him a great start on the Money List towards ultimately making it onto the US Tour.
For Porter, who shot 1 under it was a tough day at the office but he stills sits atop the leaderboard.
“At the end of the day I am over the moon to shoot one under because I really didn’t play that well,” said Porter. “I didn’t play anywhere as good as yesterday. I grinded it out and my short game two days in a row has held me in there.”
One shot behind the pair is 22 year old West Australian Rick Kulacz. Two-under at the start of the day, Kulacz went out in 34 thanks to a birdie hat-trick, only for successive bogeys at the 13th and 14th holes to drop him back to even, but he responded with three birdies in four holes to close out his round.
A former Australian junior champion and IFJG World Junior Champion Kulacz turned professional late last year but already had runs on the board after becoming the first amateur to win on the Von Nida Tour taking out the 2006 NSW Open in a play-off. The following week was paired with Greg Norman in the third round of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney – shooting an impressive 71.
A further shot behind Kulacz is veteran aussie Terry Price on 4 under with overnight second placed American Fran Quinn one over for the round and dropping back to 3 under, followed by Aussie Adam Bland, and American Gibby Gilbert at 2 under at the end of their rounds.
Australians Jarrod Lyle and Peter O’Malley had both recovered into red figures earlier in the day, only to drop back as their rounds went on, Lyle carding a second-straight 73 and O’Malley adding a 72 as both finished at plus two overall.
Source – PGA Tour
