Rankin shoots 66 to lead QLD Medal

BY iseekgolf.com | Queensland Mens Tour | 2008 Queensland Medal | Round Two | 01 May 2008

Pacific members are dominating the leaderboard at the 2008 Queensland Medal being being held at Nudgee Golf Club, with Brett Rankin the Championship leader at the halfway mark.

Rankin fired the tournament’s lowest round today of 66 (-5) and appears to have regained the form he showed throughout 2007. His round featured five birdies and was blemish free, giving him a two shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final 36 holes over clubmate Gavin Fairfax (-6).

Fairfax put together another solid round today and has gone quietly about his business, backing up his opening 67 (-4) with a 69 (-2) today. Both rounds have featured five birdies with a couple more bogeys recorded today, however he is playing good golf and will be looking forward to the 36 holes that awaits tomorrow.

The final grouping will be an all Pacific affair, with Jared Consoli in equal third place on 138 (-4) following an excellent round of 67 (-4) today. He is tied with three other players who all have the potential to challenge tomorrow. They are Daniel McGraw (Gailes), Ray Beaufils (Surfers Paradise) and overnight leader Boyd Watts (Yeppoon).

The cut mark of 147 (+5) saw 63 players survive with the opportunity to play the final 36 holes tomorrow.

The all important 16th position, which qualifies the players for the Queensland Amateur Championship next week, is currently at 141 (-1).

With 36 holes tomorrow and so many players within reach it will be interesting to see what the number will be at the end of the 72 holes. No doubt this will be in the back of many minds as their rounds unfold tomorrow.

Dating back to 1900, the Queensland Amateur Championship is one of the country’s oldest Championhips. The trophy has been held by many of the country’s best golfers including the great Norman Von Nida (1932) and more recently Jason Day (2004 and 2006).