Zachary Maxwell – image Australian Golf Media
The time-honoured West Australian Open has reached the halfway stage of its 2024 edition at the Mandurah Golf Club south of Perth, and Queenslander Zachary Maxwell has edged clear of the field in the A$175,000 event.
The Brisbane golfer, the son of PGA Professional Brett Maxwell, added a second round of 66 to his opening 63 to lead by one over South Australian Jak Carter and two over Queensland’s Elvis Smylie.
Maxwell’s best finish in a PGA Tour of Australasia event to date was when 30th at the PNG Open in September and is currently ranked outside the top 3000 in the world but his form in the opening two rounds suggested a game significantly better than his ranking.
Maxwell played his final nine on Thursday in 28 and today, beginning his round at the 1st hole be was 5 under through 4 holes before completing an outward nine of 31 to play his previous 18 holes in 59.
Two late bogeys slowed what might otherwise have been a phenomenal opening 36 holes but he has the lead and heads into the weekend with the possibility of his best finish by far at this level.
Carter returned from a start at the Alfred Dunhill Links at St Andrews two weeks ago where he failed to make the cut and finished at the back end of the field there to play solidly at last week’s WAPGA Championship and followed his opening round of 62 yesterday with 68 today to be back in the sort of form which saw him play so well throughout last season on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Smylie played well in Kalgoorlie last week and shared the lead through 54 holes before finishing 3rd . The talented young Queenslander has numerous top 3 finishes to his name on the PGA Tour of Australasia but the breakthrough win has proved elusive although this week may well change that.
Previous winner, Curtis Luck is in a group at 10 under and just three from the lead, the 2016 US Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur Champion seemingly finding form after injury had curtailed his progress in the professional ranks.
