Fuente: © PGA (Professional Golfers' Association)
http://www.pga.info/

GOLF: PGA: Barnett And Bell Lead At Moortown

/noticias.info/ PGA Cup player Andrew Barnett leapt into a share of the lead of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship after a clinical display of ball-striking at Moortown (full leaderboard here).

The North Wales Driving Range pro, who finished runner up in the event last year, didn't drop a shot in his second round to card a 68 helped by an eagle on the seventh and birdie on the 13th.

Graeme Bell (Eaglescliffe) endured mixed fortunes with a glut of bogeys and birdies but had enough red on his scorecard to join Barnett at the top of the leaderboard at three under par on a total of 139 following a 69.

An exciting third round is in prospect tomorow with five players within striking distance of the lead a shot further back and a further 17 players within five strokes of Barnett and Bell.

Among the chasing pack is West Berkshire's Paul Simpson who carved his way into contention with the round of the day - a four under par 67.

Also sharing second place are Jeremy Robinson (Sports Masters Internationl) 69,71, Sean Whiffin (Herts G&CC) 71,69, Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) 70,70, and William Barnes (RBE Golf) 68,72.

"I've come close a few times in this championship but I've always managed to throw in a bad round somewhere," said Simpson.

"I've actually played a bit less this year and not very well at that. It was pretty scrambly at the start but I had a great run going in the middle and chipping in from 30 ft on the 10th was just the bonus I needed. "

If Simpson was relying on his short game skills, Barnett just motored along smoothly with his eagle at the seventh a highlight.

"It was nice and steady, I was rock solid and didn't make a bad swing all day," he said.

"My game is ticking over nicely, I finished fifth in the PGA North Region Championship last week and have just maintained my form.

"This is a great golf course, fantastic, I've played it four times and it's a proper course where you've got to drive it well and put the ball in right place off the tee otherwise it can catch you out."

Joint leader Bell was ecstatic following a shaky start which saw him bogey three of the first six holes.

"I'm more than pleased, put it down as highly delighted," he said. "I just had a good finish from the par five 12th with three birdies and had a good chance on 17.

"I got a great birdie on nine and hit a rescue club to five foot and holed it. Today that was eagle it was 206 into the wind with rescue. Never mind shot of the day it was shot of the week."

Bell had set himself a target of successive 73s at the start of the week but has rewritten the script.

"I haven't come here with intention of winning but now I've got a chance it's a different story," he said.

First round leaders Andrew Sherborne and Barnes had mixed fortunes but both remain well in contention.

Former Tour pro Sherborne posted a 74 to stay at level par for the championship while Barnes has plenty to discuss with room mate Cameron Clark.

Barnes revealed a stern talking to had done the trick to haul himself back into the frame after a run of bogeys looked to be ending his challenge.

"I had a 20 minute wait at 12 and said to myself you've got six or seven holes to go don't mess about and birdied 12 14 and 16 although I unfortunately bogeyed 17.

"I drove ok and putted well but the middle bit was a bit scrappy. I stuck at it and I suppose I'm quite happy with my score.

"I'm rooming with Cameron and we were chatting yesterday and he said three 69s and you'll win this and I knew no one was going further than three under."

Former champion Bill McColl, who triumphed at King's Lynn in 1991, had a second round 69, coming back home in just 31 strokes including three birdies in his last four holes to give make the cut at six over par.

Also making the cut were Jon Bevan (Wessex Golf Centre) who rescued his round with an inward 32 to make amends for an outward 41 that included a double bogey at the third and a triple bogey at the seventh.

Bevan's fellow PGA Cup player James Whatley was also one of the 56 players who made the cut, the East Midlands Golf Academy player's 73 enough to see him through. notas_de_prensa_archivo