Brady Watt

Of the five players who shared the lead at this morning’s tee off, only top Australian amateur Brady Watt held his position. His 4-under leaves him two shots clear going into round three. Geoff Drakeford, whose home club Commonwealth is just down the road from Royal Melbourne, is no doubt used to Melbourne’s fickle weather and his 2-under sees him just two shots back.

Watt was just one of only two players in this field of 54 elite local and international golfers to shoot under 70 for the day. Englishman Garrick Porteous had six birdies on his way to an outstanding 67. The 21 year old, who improved seven strokes from yesterday, is probably hoping for more wind and rain over the final days of this event.

Porteous is one of a group of leading internationals now within six shots of the lead: Canadian Garrett Rank, Scottish teenager Ewan Scott, Teremoana Beaucousin from France, American Richard Lamb and Fiji’s Olaf Allen.

With the temperature set to rise again tomorrow, look for more movement in this field. Defending champion Nathan Holman, locals Ryan Ruffles and Todd Sinnott and German visitor Maximilian Roehig are among those within striking distance going into golf’s traditional “moving day”

Round three tees off at 8.30 tomorrow morning and there is no admission charge to Royal Melbourne Golf Club