In May 2012, Lismore-born Rhein Gibson carded a world record 16-under 55 at the River Oaks course in Oklahoma.
The stunning two eagle-12 birdie blitz is in the Guinness Book of Records.
At Royal Pines in the Australian PGA, the same Rhein Gibson carded a 79 in the opening round, and started the second round yesterday with bogey, bogey, birdie, birdie, bogey that gave no indication of a course record 64 to bounce back in contention.
The 29-year-old Gibson sure knows how to go low, as his two eagles, seven birdies, and three bogeys proved yesterday.
This tournament has been an eye-opener since Graham Marsh’s redesign. The front nine was completed last year, the back nine in time for the PGA.
On Thursday, thanks to strong winds and driving rain, only six were in the red, while 32 carded 80 and over, with the field averaging 77 and change.
Yesterday in tricky conditions, 12 finished in the red, and only 12 in the 80s-plus, averaging 74.
Credit to Sweden’s David Lingmerth who has a one-shot lead at the halfway stage thanks to consistent and patient golf.
Despite the varying conditions, Lingmerth has carded a double, five bogeys, and 10 birdies for the 36 holes to be 3-under.
But like American Brandt Snedeker, PGA Australia has insulted Lingmerth by not doing their home work with no head-shot, no DOB, and under the heading of 2015 season at a glance – nothing.
No mention of Lingmerth winning his first USPGA tournament, the Jack Nicklaus-hosted Memorial at Muirfield Village, that not only earned him three years exemption on the tour, but a start in next years US Masters among many other big tournaments. – a priceless victory for the 28-year-old.
That makes PGA Australia a disgrace for not looking after the welcoming and recognising all golfers, especially from overseas, who are playing their hearts out on a demanding course with unfriendly weather.
Special mention of the 23-year-old Todd Sinnott, who a week ago was ranked 1093 in the world. His eighth placed finish in last week’s Australian Open rocketed him up the rankings to 757, and today he’s in a tie for eighth with Rhein Gibson and another rapid ranking rise assured.
The day saw the last appearance of Peter Senior’s broomstick putter that has served him so loyally for 28 years.
The long stick will be banned from January 1, so the 56-year-old Senior will have to find a conventional putter when he rejoins the US Champions tour early next year.
Leading scores at the halfway stage
3-under – David Lingmerth 73 68.
2-under – Mark Foster 69 73, Zander Lombard 69 73. Peter Ulhlein 75 67, Matthew Millar 72 70, Pablo Martin Benavides 75 67, Dylan Frittelli 70 72.
1-under – Rhien Gibson 79 64, Todd Sinnott 71 72, Jason Scrivener 72 71, Tom Lewis 72 71.
The red ink leaderboard has a League of Nations look about it with five Australians, two each from South African and England, and one each from Sweden, USA and Spain.
Notables to miss the cut at 6-over
Defending champion Greg Chalmers (7-over), Stephen Leaney (7-over), Nick O’Hern (10-over), Peter Senior (10-over), Eduardo Molinari (10-over), Robert Allenby (11-over), Rod Pampling (11-over), Brandt Snedeker (15-over), and Peter O’Malley (24-over),
ends
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