Adam Woolley will go into the final round of the PGA South West region’s Cornish Festival in the surfing mecca of Newquay on the crest of a golfing wave.
Having set a scorching pace in the three-day Carlsberg Marston’s-sponsored event with an opening round of eight-under at Trevose, Woolley was in similarly scintillating form at the Point of Polzeath on day two.
In terms of numbers, his bogey-free five-under par round of 67 fell short of his tour de force at the Legends Tour venue. However, it took him to 13-under for the tournament and maintained his advantage over the 90-strong field.
Woolley’s nearest challenger is George Bloor who, three shots adrift, came close to emulating the leader’s taming of Trevose on day one. Having reached the turn in five-under with an eagle at the par-five fourth, his negotiation of the back nine yielded two more birdies for a seven-under par round of 65.
Former Ryder Cup star Peter Baker lies a shot further back on nine-under after a four-under par round of 65 at Newquay. And with Baker three shots clear of Staddon Heights Golf Club’s Joe Yorke, the final round appears to be a three-cornered contest, albeit at different venues.
Bloor signs off at the Point at Polzeath while Baker will be at Trevose, a venue he knows well and, perhaps ominously for the two ahead of him, he has previous in this tournament, having won it twice.
Newquay for Woolley is, by contrast, an unknown quantity.
“I haven’t played Newquay before,” said the 30-year-old who represents Lincoln Golf Club.
“But I just love it down here. We used to come as kids and the vibes are great. And the three guys I’m playing with in the pro-am with are friends of mine. We’ve been egging each other on and it’s been good fun.”
Given Woolley has excelled on two courses with vastly different characteristics and challenges, he will reprise the game plans that have put him on course to claim the £2,500 first prize.
“I’ve taken a different approach to each of the two courses,” he explained. “I didn’t use the driver much today, mainly on the par fives and a couple of long fours – I tried to keep it in play and avoid big numbers. It paid off and I was bogey-free today – I can’t remember the last time I did that.
“I’ve played very well in all parts of the game. I’ve put some hard work in this winter and PING have been very good to me. I was fitted out recently and the clubs have been great. I’ve played well off the tee and hit the ball close to the flag. And my putting has been behaving over the last couple of days.
“Looking ahead, I’ll just have to keep doing what’s worked well so far. That’s keep the ball in play and I’m hitting it well. And I’ll try and stay in the moment.”
Meanwhile in the team competition, Woolley and his three friends from Lincoln Golf Club head the field on 176 Stableford points, three clear of the quartet led by Downes Crediton Golf Club’s Barry Austin.
CLICK HERE for a full list of scores.
