Victorian Steve Jones will take a one shot lead into the third round of the WA Open Championship after firing a 69 to sit at 7-under.
“The front nine was easy. I didn’t really hit any bad shots and holed some good putts,” Jones said.
“On the back nine the weather went south. It got rainy and tough. I probably left a couple out there with short putts.”
However a 40 foot birdie putt on the 18th gave Jones a one shot lead over fellow Victorians David Bransdon and Kristopher Mueck.
“It was special. The flag was up on the back tier and I was down the bottom. I holed about a 40 footer up hill.”
“I had a good chance on 17 from pretty close but didn’t make it. So it was nice to make one on the 18th to take the lead.”
Leading a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament isn’t a new experience for Jones. He led the Vic Open after the first round before going on to finish in a tie for sixth.
“These events are pretty hard to win. The Vic Open was probably my best chance. My game is definitely ready to win. I think mentally I am getting closer.”
Overnight leader, Kris Mueck struggled to a 1-over 73 to be one shot off the pace.
“It was much more of a battle today,” said Mueck.
“I didn’t hit it very straight off the tees. It was hard from there.”
“But I’ll take 1-over; it was pretty tough out there.”
Victorian David Bransdon fared better firing a 3-under 69 to join Mueck on 6-under the card.
Finishing at 5-under the card was Queenslander Michael Hansen who is outright fourth.
A shot further back and rounding out the top-5 are Troy Cox (NSW), Chris Gaunt (VIC), Marcus Cain (QLD), Brett Drewitt (NSW), Matthew Guyatt (QLD) and amateur Jarryd Felton (WA). The 36 hole cut was made at 2-over the card with 58 Professionals and two amateurs making it through to the weekend rounds.