Dobbelaar in Sunday pole position at PNG Open

Fresh off victory at the Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club Pro-Am last Friday, Dobbelaar has carried that momentum into the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season opener, carding rounds of 67-69-68 to put himself in pole position heading into Sunday.
 
“Feeling good, played some solid golf the last few days and it feels good to be in the hunt,” Dobbelaar said.
 
“I hit the ball quite nice. Quite similar in the last few days. Today, I hit a couple more wedge shots close, which was nice to have some tap-ins.”
 
It was a three-way battle for the lead throughout the afternoon, with Dobbelaar joined at the top by Lachlan Aylen and overnight leader Josh Armstrong.
 
Aylen produced the round of the day with a 6-under 66 to set the clubhouse target at 11-under before Dobbelaar and Armstrong, playing together in the final group, both birdied the 18th.

Armstrong signed for a 2-under 70 to match Aylen at 11-under, but Dobbelaar’s closing birdie lifted him to 12-under and a one-shot advantage.

Dobbelaar’s front nine was a colourful one, with a birdie at the third followed by a bogey at the fifth before another birdie at the seventh. He then eagled the par-5 ninth to turn in 3-under 34 and move to 11-under-par.
 
Seven straight pars followed on the back nine, including a remarkable par save at the 14th.
 
After driving into the trees, Dobbelaar hit another tree attempting to escape, before recovering brilliantly, sticking his approach to three feet and tapping in for par.
 
“Those par saves are crucial at this point in the tournament,” he said.
 
He then saved his best for last, rolling in a birdie at the 18th to take the outright lead into the final round.
 
Set to turn 26 on Monday, a victory would provide Dobbelaar with an early birthday present and a return to the winners’ circle, having not claimed another Tour title since his maiden victory at the 2023 New Zealand PGA Championship.

For Aylen, a victory this week would be a significant moment in the 34-year-old’s career, with the Victorian currently without status on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
 
“It's huge for me and it's always in my mind,” Aylen said of what a win would mean.
 
“Any high finish would mean getting into a few more events and really kickstarting the year, so it's definitely in my mind.
 
“It's a matter of seeing if I can handle the pressure and go low again tomorrow.”
 
Jay Mackenzie (68) and Brett Rankin (71) are tied for fourth at 9-under-par, while defending champion and two-time winner Cory Crawford (2017, 2025) is a shot further back in sixth after a 1-under 71.
 
The PNG Women’s Open is also now underway, with the 15-player field completing the opening round of its 36-hole championship.
 
Australia’s Amelia Mehmet Grohn and Kathryn Norris are joined by Cook Islander Emlay Viking at the top after all three carded matching 6-over 78s.
 
It is familiar territory for New South Welshwoman Mehmet Grohn, who returns as defending champion, while West Australian Norris will be looking to go one better after finishing runner-up last year.
 
“I feel good,” Mehmet Grohn said. “I hit the driver well today; just didn't really take advantage of it. So if I can do that tomorrow, then I'll be happy.
 
“I've been working hard in the off season, so it's just putting that into play and trusting what I've been doing. If I can do that tomorrow, I'll be stoked with that.”
 
Victorian Vicky Uwland and New Zealander Rebekah Blackwell-Chin are tied for fourth at 8-over-par, with Kay Bennan a shot further back and Lisa Jean and Rhianna Lewis another shot back at 10-over.
 
The final rounds of both the PNG Open and PNG Women’s Open will tee off from 8:28am AEST on Sunday, with the final group of the men’s championship scheduled for 12:45pm.