Blairgowrie birdie blitz sees ‘lefty’ gain advantage

** All the best images from the opening two rounds here.

Experienced campaigner Chris Gane (above) struck a magnificent seven-under-par to shoot himself to the top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.

The two-time Challenge Tour winner admitted he rode his luck at Blairgowrie Golf Club as his 65 moved him to nine-under for the £78,000 tournament which is supported by Peugeot.

Gane (Lefthandedgolf at Silvermere), currently top of the South Order of Merit, made light work of the wet conditions to post what looked like a challenging target.

However, he only holds a one shot advantage over Dinnaton’s Paul Hendriksen, who fired a second successive four-under-par 68. Lurking just two shots further back at six-under, on a compressed leaderboard, is Fleetwood’s David Corsby, who also carded 68, and Canford Magna’s Paul Jones who had a 67.

But it was Gane, competing in the championship for the first time after more than decade plying his trade on the European or Challenge Tours, who caught the eye.

He conjured up six birdies, a fortunate eagle at the eighth - his chip hitting the flag and dropping in, and dropped just one shot, at the sixth, for a very satisfactory round.

“I’m chuffed to bits with that,” was his verdict. “There were a couple of bits of good fortune. I holed a chip for birdie on three and would’ve taken four all day long, so that was bonus. On eight I was just on the front edge and hit a ham-fisted chip which was running about 10 foot past but it hit the flag and went in for eagle. That kick started things.

“But I’ve been playing nicely of late, which has been great. You want the run to continue as long as possible as you’re aware it can end at any time. It’s a cliché, but you’ve got to ride the wave when you’re on it and I’m doing that at the minute.

“I think my experience on Tour will count for something as we don’t play many four round events in the PGA.

“But the best PGA players in the country are here and anything can happen over the next couple of days. I’ve been there before and done it but then a lot of the guys here have as well so you can’t take anything for granted over the next couple of days.”

Hendriksen (above) is hot on his heels after easing to eight-under. The Devonian’s short game is keeping him firmly in the hunt given that his driving is both a physical and mental battle.

“I played pretty similar to yesterday,” he said,

“I’m putting nicely, just keeping it in play off the tee, and leaving myself short irons in, which is one of the strengths of my game. It’s working at the moment – it hasn’t done all year – but it’s coming to form now.

“I’m not swinging it great so it’s a bit of a mental test out there. I’m getting through it and I’m quite happy with where I am. If I find some form with my swing maybe I’ll be able to relax a little bit.”

Fellow West Country ace Jones came in late to throw his hat into the ring joining first-time qualifier Corsby in the top three.

Jones, whose 67 comprised six birdies and just one dropped shot, said: “I’ve been playing well for the past couple of months and got out there today and holed some nice putts which was great.

“I didn’t play it as solid on the back nine and missed a couple of shorts putts, including one on the last from six feet for a birdie, but I’m happy to be in a good position with two rounds to go.”

Corsby (above), who this time last year has just completed his PGA foundation degree, had a flawless 68 – all of the damage coming on the front nine, including a hat-trick of birdies from the sixth.

“I just played pretty solid as I did yesterday,” he said. “It’s a nice position to be in and hopefully just play the same tomorrow and see what happens.”

Former champion Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle) carded a 67 to move into striking distance, while David Smith (Swinton) also shot a 67 signalling his return after 18 months out of the game with a shoulder injury.

Defending champion Dan Greenwood (Forest Pines) carded a one-under 71, to be among a clutch of players on one-under. Paul Simpson, 2008 winner, also eased through at one-over for the tournament with the cut coming at three-over-par.

A total of 61 players made it through, but among the casualties were 2011 winner Craig Goodfellow (Penrith Golf Centre), 2013 PGA Cup player Jonathan Barnes (Oak Park) and 2013 PGA Cup vice-captain Jon Bevan (Rhos on Sea).