Fiji, August 15 - Former amateur star Jake Higginbottom from Australia took the halfway lead in the US$1 million Fiji International today following an impressive three-under-par 69.
In windy conditions at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, designed by Fijian star Vijay Singh who is also competing, he moved to the top of the leader board on seven under.
His countrymen Cameron Smith (68), Steve Jeffress (70) and Andrew Dodt (71) are two shots back in an event jointly sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.
Overnight leader Wang Minghao from China had a poor day shooting an 82 and missed the five over par cut by one shot.
Three-time Major winner Singh carded a 74 and is three over for the inaugural event.
In 2012, Higginbottom became the first amateur in more than half a century to win the BMW New Zealand Open and he showed today that he is just as comfortable playing as a member of the professional ranks.
“It was pretty windy out there this morning,” said the 20-year-old.
“It is a great course and challenging especially when the wind gets up. I feel I have my game plan worked out and need to stick to that for next few days. I need to be smart but also aggressive. Out here you want to have as many shots as you can to be in front. You have got to make birdies but having said that even par is a good score.”
He started his round on the 10th and made two glorious birdies on 17 and 18. His only bogey came on the ninth hole.
“It is a great position to be in and this is what we play for, hopefully I can play well tomorrow and be in the same position.”
Indian star Anirban Lahiri, winner of the 2014 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters earlier this year and fresh from competing in last week’s US PGA Championship, came in with a strong 69 to sit six off the lead.
Said the Indian: “That felt good especially after the long journey to get here from the States. I am in a nice position going into the weekend. Sixty nine was a good score today.”
China’s Liang Wenchong, a four-time winner on OneAsia, is on the same score after returning a 71.
“I am getting used to the course as today was my third round on the course this week,” said Liang.
“It was windy but I have learned how to handle it and will work hard to get into position to challenge at the weekend. I am really enjoying playing in Fiji. It is my first time here and the people are just so friendly.”
The 2010 OneAsia Order of Merit champion was helped by birdies on 16 and 17.
Nick Price from Zimbabwe, a three-time Major winner, finished right on the halfway cut line after shooting a 76.
Playing 74 in the first round, Indonesia's Rory Hie had a poor second round with 3 birdies, 3 bogeys, 2 double bogeys, and a disastrous quadruple bogey on the par 4 16th, a hole he birdied the day before, missing the cut by 5 strokes with a total score of 154.
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