Admitting to playing a lot less these days because of business commitments, Jeremy Robinson nevertheless is in pole position at the halfway stage of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship.
The 1987 Walker Cup player, based in Evesham, added a one-under 71 at a windswept and rainy Dundonald Links - at least for the first part of the day.
"We were lucky to be out among the late starters", confessed Robinson. But no part of the day could be called easy, and he again was grateful for an obedient putter for his score.
"My driver's still a bit iffy, and I'm struggling off the tee, but it all came more or less together." The end result was five birdies and four bogeys, and a one-shot lead over Welshman, James Lee. A year ago, Robinson was just one stroke off the halfway lead but slipped to a share of 10th at the finish.
Lee,the head pro at Caerphilly, added a level-par 72 to his opening 69, the major boost to the Welshman's round coming at the 510-yard 14th. A drive that went left onto the 16th fairway still gave him a nice line into the flag, and a ripped three-wood all of 265 yards landed eight feet from the flag, and the eagle putt was despatched.
The 40-year-old, winner of the 1995 Kenya Open, had begun with two bogeys - "but they were good bogeys" - and he now faces 36 holes tomorrow and Friday when he has the chance not only of winning £10,000 but of being selected for the Britain and Ireland team for the PGA Cup (the club pros' version of the Ryder Cup) in September at Carrick on Loch Lomond.
Another Welshman, Andrew Barnett from North Wales Driving Range, was among the early starters who had the worst of wind and rain, and returned a fine 74, leaving him on 145.
Kedleston Park's Paul Wesselingh is on track to make yet another challenge for the title he won in 2006.
After a steady 72 for 143, the 2006 champion admitted "We were lucky with the weather. The early starters had it rough."
Wesselingh's putting was the key was his score. "It's saving me at the moment. I'm starting to play a lot better but don't get me wrong - I'm delighted with the position I'm in."
Fellow Derby pro, James Whateley, who'd led overnight, slumped to an 80, admittedly in the teeth of the gale and rain - but still made the cut, 153, with plenty to spare.
17 June, 2009