Daniel Gale and former Melbourne Storm NRL premiership winner Ryan Papenhuyzen may emerge as the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia's next winning player-caddie combination at Webex Players Series Victoria this weekend.
Although new Vic Open champion Cameron John maintained his grip on the lead at Rosebud Country Club with a second straight round of 65, at 10-under-par he is just two shots clear of Gale (63), former Webex Players Series Victoria winner Todd Sinnott (68) and another, Victorian, Ben Eccles (67).
With Papenhuyzen, who is now an Australian Golf ambassador, on his bag, Gale took advantage of ideal morning conditions, shooting a 4-under 31 on his first nine, the back nine at Rosebud, closing with a decisive run of three straight birdies.
“It was a lot of gap wedges and pitching wedges and just judging the wind nicely to stay in that distance, he said.
The three-time Tour winner’s second nine was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 seventh, when his approach shot finished inside two metres.
Adding to Gale’s positivity this week has been the presence of Papenhuyzen, with the pair, who joined Castle Hill Country Club at a similar time, developing a close friendship over the last five years.
“He is a good buddy of mine and loves his golf. He definitely helped me out and he’s a good green reader, too,” Gale said.
“We feed off each other and we’re just having so much fun out there – and the more fun you have, the better you play.
“It’s a big confidence thing. If he sees exactly what I see, I go into the putt with more trust and commitment.”
Keen golfer Papenhuyzen, who retired from professional rugby league last year, is expected to caddie for Gale for the remainder of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia season.
“We will play out the Aussie season and most events he’ll be on the bag,” Gale said.
“I want him to have his freedom as well, but he does an awesome job.”
Out in front, John is chasing a third title of the season, and the No.1 spot on the Order of Merit, following a bogey-free Friday.
“If you told me at the start of the day that I’d shoot 65 again, I’d be pretty happy,” John said.
“I hit the ball incredible today; probably the best I have in a couple of years, but the putts just didn’t want to go in early. I made a lot of pars in a row.”
Sinnott, who opened the tournament with a 64, backed it up with a composed four-under-par 68 in Round 2, fighting back from two bogeys in three holes to start his day as he continued to apply pressure at the top of the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, Eccles matched John by being bogey-free in his 67.
The leading woman in the field is LPGA Tour star Jenny Shin, who is at 6-under-par, just four shots from the lead, after a 66 on Friday.
Order of Merit leader Christopher Wood is at 3-under, but defending champion Michael Wright (3-over) missed the halfway cut.
Entry to the Webex Players Series Victoria hosted by Marcus Fraser is free for spectators, with Rounds 4 and 4 broadcast live on Fox Sports 503 and Kayo Sports from 3pm–6pm AEDT on Saturday and Sunday.
