Mike Hendry turns back to clock to lead the Vic Open
Mike Hendry in the zone today – photo Australian Golf Media
New Zealand’s Michael Hendry has made a brilliant start to the Vic Open at 13th Beach on the Bellarine Peninsula, adding a second round of 62 to his opening 66 and, at 18 under, he begins the weekend two shots clear of Gold Coast based Victorian, Deyen Lawson, with another two back to Queensland’s Gavin Fairfax.
Hendry, who has been a regular on the Japan Tour over the last ten years but now without full status there following a disappointing year in 2022 when returning from Covid restrictions, put together ten birdies over the Creek Course layout today to take control in a quest to win his first event since an emotional win in his own national open in 2017.
Lawson recently won his first PGA Tour of Australasian event when successful at the West Australian Open in November but he is without status on any other tour besides his home tour and the opportunity to improve on his current 8th position on the PGA Tour of Australasian Order of Merit could well yield dividends for the 42 year old.
Another shot back and in a share of 5th place are the former PGA Tour player, Australian Amateur Champion and Australian Tour Champion, Mathew Goggin, who has only recently returned to tournament golf after a lengthy period away from the game while involved in golf course development in his home state of Tasmania.
Goggin has also finished runner-up in numerous events including the Australian Open and PGA Championships, the Australian Masters and, on the PGA Tour, the Memorial and Western Opens. Perhaps however Goggin’s best-ever performance was when 5th at the Open Championship at Turnberry in 2009 behind Stewart Cink.
The Women’s Vic Open is being led by Sunshine Coast golfer, Cassie Porter, who at the halfway stage has opened up a five shot lead over Thailand’s Pavarisa Yoktuan.
Porter’s second round of 64 was the best of the week to date, bettering the previous best set of 66 set by herself on Thursday.
Cassie Porter – photo Australian Golf Media
