Macpherson still on top at Dunes
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2008 Dunes Medal | Round Two | 03 Dec 2008
Bryden Macpherson maintains his lead in The Dunes Medal after a second round even par 72 to be at 8-under-par and four strokes ahead of Luke Bleumink and Tom Bond, who both are in T2 position at 4-under-par.
Scott Arnold is in outright 3rd position at 2-under-par followed by Aidan Bae, Todd Sinnott and Michael Smyth, at 1-under-par and tied 4th.
Yesterday Macpherson shot a course record equalling 8-under-par 64 during the opening round to gain a four stroke lead over the rest of the field at the National Trial event currently being played at The Dunes Golf Club on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. His efforts equalled Marcus Fraser’s result in the 2000 Dunes Medal, who on the weekend lost in a playoff to Rod Pampling at the Australian Masters.
Macpherson, 18, is a member of the Victorian Institute of Sport golf program and already an Australian junior representative at this year’s Trans Tasman Cup. Macpherson last June qualified for the match play rounds at the 2008 US Junior Championship.
Whilst his second round even-par 72 maintained his four stroke overnight lead, Macpherson minimised any damage by playing early before conditions on the wind swept links style layout deteriorated in the afternoon.
Scott Arnold was one of the many high profile players to be teeing it up in the afternoon and experienced the full brunt of the three-club wind.
“Certainly the morning players had the advantage,” said the 2008 Riversdale Cup winner.
“I’m just clad the cut has been determined, as we had the worst of both days and everyone who’s in with a chance will compete under the same conditions tomorrow.”
The cut of 45 plus ties was at 5-over-par, with world number 16 and Australia’s top ranked amateur Matt Jager finishing his opening two rounds at 3-over-par to make the weekend.
Other notable players making the cut include Daniel Beckmann, Daniel Nisbett and Nick Cullen, who are all at 144 and even par.
Since its inception in 1999, The Dunes Medal has evolved into one of the main amateur events on the Australian golfing calendar. Former winners include Asian Tour player Rick Kulacz (2006), US Tour player Jason Day (2005), Adam Bland (2001), whilst Alistair Presnell holds the tournament record at 14-under-par.
