Second-round leader Australian Robert Allenby maintained a two-shot lead in the Australian Masters golf tournament Saturday with an even-par 72 at Huntingdale.
Allenby has a three-round total of 206, 10 under par. Australian amateur James Nitties, who shot a 6-under 66, and countryman Jarrod Moseley, with a 69 Saturday, are tied for second at 208, one shot ahead of Australian Rod Pampling.
Allenby, fighting a cold and the flu, said he lost his hearing briefly during Saturday's round. He overcame a poor start when his opening tee shot went into trees guarding the left of the fairway.
He hacked out to three-putt for a double-bogey six.
"I felt pretty good on the tee. Every year I always hit it in those trees so I guess I was expecting to hit it one day in there," he said.
"I got it out of there but the greens got me. The [practice] putting greens are not very fast, but the greens out on the course are probably running at maybe three feet further than yesterday.''
The slick greens and his illness made for lapses which saw bogeys at the eighth, 11th and 15th holes, but he retrieved five shots with birdies.
"If you lose your concentration at any given time it's very easy to hit some off shots and that's what happened a few times," said Allenby. "I lost my hearing in my right ear on the 12th tee for about two holes.''
Defending champion Peter Lonard's repeat hopes were diminished. After an eagle-three at the 10th, the Australian had double bogeys at the 13th and 18th holes to slip five shots back after a 72.
Nitties, 21, said he will likely turn pro by the end of next year.
PGA Tour Qualifying
Swedes Daniel Chopra and Mathias Gronberg share the lead at the halfway point of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.
Chopra, who was tied for seventh place after two rounds, shot a 7-under 65 at the Crooked Cat course at Orange County National on Friday for a 13-under 203 total. Gronberg, who has held at least a share of the lead through three rounds, shot a 67 at Crooked Cat to retain a share of the lead after three rounds.
Omar Uresti tied the Crooked Cat course record with a 9-under 63 and was tied for third with Danny Briggs, who shot a 5-under 67.
Uresti shot a 32 on his first nine and followed with a bogey-free 31 on his inward nine to advance 18 positions.
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