BLIZARD STORMS AHEAD IN NZ PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
FROM THE PGA OF AUSTRALASIA WEBSITE
New South Welshman Rohan Blizard will lead into the final round of the NZ PGA Championship being played at The Hills in Queenstown.
Building his confidence from the first hole, Rohan Blizard fired a 6-under 66 to lead by a shot from defending champion Michael Hendry.
“I actually got a bit lucky on the first hole,” said Blizard.
“I didn’t hit the best drive, kind of pulled it a little bit left and it just sat up short of the long grass. Luckily enough I had a good lie, had an opportunity to go for the green and hit in the greenside trap but got up and down.”
“That settled me down really well. I wasn’t nervous or anxious or anything on the first couple of holes but I think if you start well it just gives you that confidence for the rest of the day."
Blizard has been flying under the radar at the NZ PGA Championship but with rounds of 67, 68 and 66 to be 15-under the card he is well placed to claim his second PGA Tour of Australasia title.
“I don’t think I’ve ever led going into the final round so that will be a first this week,” said Blizard, who won the 2011 West Australian Open Championship.
“I’ve had fun for the first three days - had a great playing partner today with the amateur and we just tried to make as many birdies as we could.”
Blizard says he will be unperturbed by the home crowd Hendry is sure to attract tomorrow afternoon and will continue to play his own game.
“I obviously know the crowd will be going for Mike seeing he is the defending champion and he’s from New Zealand but if you are playing well and the crowd applauds good shots then that’s all you can ask for.”
“I’ve been playing pretty consistently in the tier two events. I finished around 10th place and fourth in one so the form’s been there; I just have to put four rounds together this week.”
Having come close to success in his last two starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Hendry will need to search for the winning factor tomorrow afternoon.
His biggest problem is a wayward driver that he’s struggled with all week.
“It started okay today but it got really ragged on the back nine so I’m going to have to improve that for tomorrow.”
Heading into the final round outright third on 13-under the card is West Australian Scott Strange while a shot further back is Victorian Leigh Deagan.
Rounding out the top-5 is Chinese teenager Li Haotong and Kiwi Gareth Paddison on 11-under the card.
The pro-am component of the NZPGA Championship got underway today with the amateurs teaming up with the Professionals in a two-ball, best-ball competition.
Michael Long and his amateur partner Chris Hunter lead by a shot after the first round on 11-under the card.
Aberdeen-born Michael Sim, a former US PGA Tour player - for a short spell - us T45 after a 72 for 213.
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
201 Rohan Blizard (Australia) 67 68 66
202 Michael Hendry (NZ) 67 67 68
203 Scott Strange (Australia) 69 65 69
204 Leigh Deagan (Australia) 67 69 68
SELECTED SCORE
213 Michael Sim (Scotland) 73 68 72 (T45)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
New South Welshman Rohan Blizard will lead into the final round of the NZ PGA Championship being played at The Hills in Queenstown.
Building his confidence from the first hole, Rohan Blizard fired a 6-under 66 to lead by a shot from defending champion Michael Hendry.
“I actually got a bit lucky on the first hole,” said Blizard.
“I didn’t hit the best drive, kind of pulled it a little bit left and it just sat up short of the long grass. Luckily enough I had a good lie, had an opportunity to go for the green and hit in the greenside trap but got up and down.”
“That settled me down really well. I wasn’t nervous or anxious or anything on the first couple of holes but I think if you start well it just gives you that confidence for the rest of the day."
Blizard has been flying under the radar at the NZ PGA Championship but with rounds of 67, 68 and 66 to be 15-under the card he is well placed to claim his second PGA Tour of Australasia title.
“I don’t think I’ve ever led going into the final round so that will be a first this week,” said Blizard, who won the 2011 West Australian Open Championship.
“I’ve had fun for the first three days - had a great playing partner today with the amateur and we just tried to make as many birdies as we could.”
Blizard says he will be unperturbed by the home crowd Hendry is sure to attract tomorrow afternoon and will continue to play his own game.
“I obviously know the crowd will be going for Mike seeing he is the defending champion and he’s from New Zealand but if you are playing well and the crowd applauds good shots then that’s all you can ask for.”
“I’ve been playing pretty consistently in the tier two events. I finished around 10th place and fourth in one so the form’s been there; I just have to put four rounds together this week.”
Having come close to success in his last two starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Hendry will need to search for the winning factor tomorrow afternoon.
His biggest problem is a wayward driver that he’s struggled with all week.
“It started okay today but it got really ragged on the back nine so I’m going to have to improve that for tomorrow.”
Heading into the final round outright third on 13-under the card is West Australian Scott Strange while a shot further back is Victorian Leigh Deagan.
Rounding out the top-5 is Chinese teenager Li Haotong and Kiwi Gareth Paddison on 11-under the card.
The pro-am component of the NZPGA Championship got underway today with the amateurs teaming up with the Professionals in a two-ball, best-ball competition.
Michael Long and his amateur partner Chris Hunter lead by a shot after the first round on 11-under the card.
Aberdeen-born Michael Sim, a former US PGA Tour player - for a short spell - us T45 after a 72 for 213.
THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 216 (3x72)
201 Rohan Blizard (Australia) 67 68 66
202 Michael Hendry (NZ) 67 67 68
203 Scott Strange (Australia) 69 65 69
204 Leigh Deagan (Australia) 67 69 68
SELECTED SCORE
213 Michael Sim (Scotland) 73 68 72 (T45)
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
Labels: PRO GOLF
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Saturday, March 02, 2013
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