Michael Sim leads by one


at Perth, West Australia


FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA WEBSITE
(with additional words by Colin Farquharson)
Aberdeen-born Michael Sim demonstrated a fine display of ball striking in blustery conditions to fire a five under par 67 and take a one shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the 36-hole Professional Travel Nedlands Masters.
The cream of West Australian golf was on display in a field of 66 and the final 18 holes should prove to be an enthralling finish with the in-form Stephen Dartnall hot on Sim’s heals after a solid four-under- par 68.
Tigh Van Leeuwen secured a place in the final group, signing for a solid 69.
Michael Long, Jarrod Moseley, Rob Farley and amateurs Brody Ninyette and Jason Scrivener are a further shot back and will need to start well to put pressure on the leading group.
Sim’s round included eight birdies and three bogeys, two of which he three-putted.
Sim, pictured above, has played six events all over the world in the past couple of months and is pleased to be back in Perth, West Australia - where he was brought up after emigrating from Scotland with his mum and dad from when he was seven years old in the early 1990s - for the Christmas break.
Dartnall started his round well with an eagle 3 on the second hole and was pleased to continue his fine form of late. Dartnall finished one stroke out of a play-off in last week's Australian Open and although disappointed not to claim his national title was thrilled to know he can match it with some of the world’s best.
Current Wales Open champion and European Tour player Scott Strange had one of the more interesting rounds of the day, starting poorly to be six over par after 6 holes. Demonstrating his class, Strange followed with six birdies before missing a short putt on the last for bogey and a one over par round of 73.
The Nedlands Golf course has been presented in immaculate condition and the stage is set for an exciting finish.
LEADERBOARD
Par 72
67 Michael Sim.
68 Stephen Dartnall.
69 Tigh Van Leeuwen.
70 Robert Farly, Michael Long, Jarrod Moseley, Brady Ninyette (am), Jason Scrivener (am).
71 David Diaz.