Golf: Early-bird Aussie captures the lead

Brett Rumford had to return to the course before daybreak yesterday but it turned into a good day at the office. Picture / Simon Baker

And to think some people consider golfers a pampered lot. Australian Brett Rumford overcame the inconvenience of a 5.30am wakeup call yesterday to tie for the lead at the halfway mark of the US$600,000 ($918,500) New Zealand PGA Championship at Clearwater Resort in Christchurch.

Circumstances dictated that Rumford rise extra early as he was one of 27 players who returned to the course before daybreak to complete their first rounds after a hailstorm and fading light led to suspensions of play on Thursday.

He quickly wiped the sleep from his eyes to resume at 7.30am by two-putting the 17th for par and repeating that on the last for an opening 69 to trail overnight leader Jason Dufner, of the United States, by two strokes.

Rumford then killed an hour before starting his second round and thereafter played immaculately to post a four-under 68 in idyllic conditions to join compatriot Jarrod Lyle atop theleaderboard on 137.

Lyle charged to the top on the back of a classy 66 containing eight birdies, and Rumford returns to the course today without a bogey against his name after 36 holes.

"I'm certainly not complaining," Rumford said of the disruption caused to his routine by Thursday's suspension in play.

"I've played in the best of the conditions."

One day after Clearwater was struck by gusty southerly winds, perfect conditions awaited the players yesterday before a shifting northerly breeze appeared in the afternoon to help cool the field.

The scoring dipped accordingly, with Thursday's average of 75.5 dropping to 71.9 as more than 60 players broke par, compared with 14 in the first round.

Banked up within five shots of Rumford and Lyle were 20 players, led by American Matt Hendrix, who strummed nicely to shoot 67 for a two-round card of 138, while New Zealand's Steven Alker produced the tournament's best of 65 to catapult himself from 50th to a share for fourth on 139 with American Chris Midland.

After shooting 74 on Thursday, Alker made the turn in just 31 after igniting his charge by holing out with a pitching wedge from 93m for an eagle three on the second.

Five birdies followed, the last on the 18th when he sank a 4.5m putt from the fringe to leave himself ideally positioned entering the weekend.

"It's nice to keep a bogey off the card, you always strive for that," Alker said.

"Having no bogeys is always good around Clearwater. Seven-under will certainly make dinner taste a bit better."

American Kevin Stadler, the winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth this month, signed for 67 to be alone in sixth on 140.

Another nine players were on 141, among them Australians Nick Flanagan, Stephen Allan and Aron Price, and Americans Joel Edwards, Scott Weatherly, Johnson Wagner, Keoke Cotner and Dufner, who posted 74 following his first day 67.

The most notable absentee today will be defending champion Peter O'Malley, of Australia, who exited the tournament early after recording rounds of 77 and 73.

Of the 20 New Zealanders entered, six made the cut, the next best behind Alker being David Smail in a share of 16th on 142 following a 69, while others safely through are Gareth Paddison on 143 after registering 73 yesterday, Mahal Pearce and Michael Long on 144, and Phil Tataurangi right on the bubble at 146.

Joining O'Malley on early flights home from among the local contingent are rookie Brad Iles, Grant Waite, Grant Moorhead, Stephen Scahill and Richard Lee.

- NZPA