Queensland amateur golfer Cameron Smith fired an impressive bogey-free eight-under-par second round to join a four-way tie for the lead at the Queensland PGA Championship.
Professionals Jason Norris and Brad Kennedy are also in the group with amateur Kevin Marques, all 10 under the card at City Golf Club.
First-round leader Norris shot 66, Marques had a 64 and Kennedy, the highest-ranked player in the field, shot a solid six-under 62.
They lead by one stroke heading into the weekend rounds.
“It’s a good spot to be on the leaderboard – the field is obviously bunched a bit more. There were a lot of good scores today especially from the young blokes,” said Norris.
Amateurs have been experiencing a purple patch on the PGA Tour of Australasia, with Oliver Goss claiming the WA Open Championship and Jake Higginbottom winning the New Zealand Open, where Norris finished runner-up.
“When I was an amateur, I always enjoyed playing Tour events,” added Norris.
“I was pipped by one in New Zealand so they cost me an Open but it’s great to have those guys out here – they have to start somewhere.”
Smith, who started the day at two-under the card and six shots back of Norris, took advantage of the early conditions.
“Today I just hit a few more fairways and the putts were dropping, the greens were in great condition – not as much traffic on them probably helped,” said Smith, who is renowned as an excellent putter.
This is the third year Smith has teed it up at the Queensland PGA Championship and, after a tied fourth finish in 2012, winning is very much on the 19-year-old’s mind.
“It’s just a step up from the amateur stuff, more depth and the other players are better so it’s definitely beneficial to see where your game is at.”
Sitting a shot behind the leading pack on nine-under the card are Matthew Giles (NSW), David Bransdon (Vic) and amateur Jake McLeod (Qld).